In a sting operation at a local car dealership, Harris County Constables arrested three men accused of snatching catalytic converters, officials said Tuesday. The swift crackdown occurred at the Auto Nation Dealership in the no-nonsense 21000 block of the North Freeway. Constables, acting on a tip-off, intercepted the alleged thieves mid-heist on January 23.
According to a statement from Constable Mark Herman's Office, deputies responded upon receiving reports of the criminal activity. Derrick Mouton, Michael Harper, and Deonte Norman tried to make a run for it but were caught by officers. Mouton, notably, was already out on bond for similar charges, including possession of a prohibited weapon, and his accomplice Harper, for catalytic converter theft.
The coveted auto parts are often stolen for their valuable metals and sold on the black market.
“Derrick Mouton, Michael Harper, and Deonte Norman were arrested and booked into the Harris County Jail, charged with Catalytic Converter Theft. Their bond has not been set at this time out of the 180th District Court.” the constable announced.
