The Marion County Sheriff’s Office said they have arrested four individuals suspected of being involved in a rash of stolen vehicles, all of which were left unlocked with the keys inside.
Early in the morning of Monday, June 8, two vehicles were reported stolen from the western area of Marion County.
At approximately 3:46am, deputies located an abandoned vehicle still running in the 3600 block of Dunbar Road. The vehicle’s owner was contacted and it was learned that this vehicle was stolen from Park Street in Prospect, making it the third stolen vehicle that night. Credit cards, which had been left in the stolen vehicle, were used in area businesses by the suspects who had allegedly stolen the car.
Officials said the investigation into the credit card use uncovered four suspects in the stores and video showed the vehicle they were driving.
On Tuesday, June 9 at around 4:30am, a deputy observed the suspects’ vehicle which was then stopped by an officer from the Marion Police Department. Out of that traffic stop, investigators said they learned the identity of the four suspects.
Arrested or charged was 18-year-old Ryan Belt, 332 Pearl Street, Marion, 18-year-old Kyle Good, 755 Trinidad Drive, Marion, a 17-year-old male suspect, and a 17-year-old female suspect.
Belt was initially charged with Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle and Misuse of a Credit Card. Good was initially charged with Misuse of a Credit Card. A review of charges was sent to the juvenile prosecutor for Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Misuse of a Credit Card and Obstructing Official Business for the two juvenile suspects.
Officials said the investigation is ongoing regarding whether or not all three of the stolen vehicle incidents are related. All of the stolen vehicles have been recovered except for a red 2002 Mercury Sable with Ohio registration GBX4006.
The Sheriff’s Office said that all three stolen vehicles had been left unsecured with their keys in them at the time of theft. They issued a plea to residents to remember to remove all items of value from your vehicles and lock them up at night.
If anyone has any information on these vehicle thefts or knows the whereabouts of the stolen Mercury Sable, you are urged to contact the Marion County Sheriff’s Office at 740-382-8244 ext 0.
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