Jasper County Deputies arrest two for stealing catalytic converters

55-year-old Phillip Winkle of Spurger

On April 23rd at approximately 5:30 p.m., Sgt Chris Wade and Deputy Noel were dispatched to the area of Roganville for a theft in progress. Dispatch advised that a witness was following a vehicle that had just stolen two catalytic converters from a vehicle.

58-year-old Teresa Johnson of Woodville

Kirbyville PD Officers located the suspect vehicle and conducted a traffic stop on Highway 96 south near the Kirbyville city limits. Sgt. Wade and Deputy Noel arrived a short time later and began an investigation into the theft. The driver and passenger of the vehicle were identified as 58-year-old Teresa Johnson of Woodville and 55-year-old Phillip Winkle of Spurger. Both were read the Miranda Warning and both admitted to taking the catalytic converters. Both were still in possession of the catalytic converters and the tools used to remove them. During investigation, it was found that these catalytic converters were removed from a 1993 Ford F150 in the 100 block of Private Road 8040 in Jasper. Both Johnson and Winkle were booked in the Jasper County Jail for State Jail Felony Theft of catalytic converters.

Both of these suspects are innocent unless proven guilty of court of law.

Sheriff Chuck Havard and his staff are committed to combating criminal activity in Jasper County.