Sheriff’s Office: Three caught while allegedly trying to steal catalytic converters in front of business

Guy

Ray

Childers

MADISON – The Limestone County Sheriff’s Department reported they made three arrests in connection with an attempted theft at a business near Madison.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, Limestone County dispatchers received a call of three suspicious white males being on the property of a business in the 29000 block of Hwy 72 on Thursday, July 14, around 11 p.m.,

“The business owner observed the three offenders on security cameras off-site and responded to the scene to prevent any loss of property. Sheriff McLaughlin along with Lt. Martin Evans, Sgt. Mike Bloodworth, Deputy Uziel Vazquez, and Deputy Kandace Wilson responded to the scene. The suspects fled before deputies arrived and Huntsville Police K-9 responded to assist,” the Sheriff’s Office stated. “Sgt. Bloodworth located and detained Christopher Ray Guy hiding in the woods just north of the business. A short distance from Sgt. Bloodworth, Deputy Wilson located and detained Kenneth Nicholas Ray hiding in tall grass at the edge of the woods.”

The Limestone County Criminal Investigations Division was notified and Captain Caleb Durden responded with Investigator Jeff Kilpatrick. During their investigation, investigators said security footage was collected and it was determined that William Flint Childers fled the scene in a vehicle. Also during the investigation, Investigator Kilpatrick discovered the trio was at the business to unlawfully remove catalytic converters from vehicles.

“This trio was observed on security video using a jack to lift a single vehicle on the business lot where 36 other vehicles were located,” officials stated. “Ray and Guy were found in possession of 23 burglars tools used to remove catalytic converters from vehicles. When the trio fled the scene they left their car jack under the business owners vehicle and it was collected as evidence.”

Captain Durden responded to the offenders residence at 306 Hines St., where he located the vehicle. More burglars tools could be observed in plain view in the car. Athens Police assisted in holding the perimeter at the Hines St. residence, where William Flint Childers surrendered to Captain Durden, and was transported to the Limestone County Detention Center, without incident, officers stated.

William Flint Childers, 43, of Athens, has been charged with Conspiracy to Commit Theft 1st, and 23 counts of Possession of Burglars Tools. Childers is being held in the Limestone County Detention Center on $57,500 bond for the 23 counts of Possession of Burglars Tools. No bond has been set at this time on the Conspiracy to Commit Theft 1st charge.

Christopher Ray Guy, 42, of Athens, AL, has been charged with Conspiracy to Commit Theft 1st, and 23 counts of Possession of Burglars Tools. Guy is being held in the Limestone County Detention Center on $57,500 bond for the 23 counts of Possession of Burglars Tools. No bond has been set at this time on the Conspiracy to Commit Theft 1st charge.

Kenneth Nicholas Ray, 32, of Athens, AL, has been charged with Conspiracy to Commit Theft 1st, and 23 counts of Possession of Burglars Tools. Ray is being held in the Limestone County Detention Center on $57,500 bond for the 23 counts of Possession of Burglars Tools. No bond has been set at this time on the Conspiracy to Commit Theft 1st charge.

“You can be proud of the professional response from your Limestone County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch, Patrol, and Investigations teams, and their work to stop these alleged offenders. I want to thank Huntsville Police Department and Athens Police Department for their assistance in this case. If you break into cars, cut catalytic converters off cars, or even attempt it in Limestone County, we’re going to find you and lock you up,”said Limestone County Sheriff Joshua McLaughlin.