Man steals cars and catalytic converters from police impound lot, authorities say

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WTVC) — A chain-link fence with barbed wire on top, surveillance cameras and an alarm system were apparently not enough to stop a man from stealing more than 100 vehicles at the Chattanooga Police Confiscation Lot, police in the US state of Tennessee said.

A police report states that James Allen Turpin is accused of stealing a car, a golf cart and 56 catalytic converters over a period of several days.

Authorities arrested Turpin on Sunday.

The affidavit states that Turpin cut a large hole in the chain link fence at the Con Lot impound lot at 1101 Wisdom Street. Vehicles and other items stored there are being seized as evidence as part of an ongoing investigation.

It describes several incidents in which, according to officials, Turpin managed to commit the crimes without being caught.

On April 14, two men, one of them Turpin, reportedly stole a Yamaha Adventure golf cart. Surveillance video shows the men driving the golf cart, which was loaded with catalytic converters, across nearby railroad tracks.

On April 19, police say Turpin stole a 2014 Nissan pickup truck that was involved in a fatal pedestrian accident.

In that incident, the police report states, after Turpin stole the pickup truck, he drove it around the property and searched “approximately 104 vehicles” for items he could steal.

Turpin then used bolt cutters to open the front gate and drive the pickup away, according to the report.

On May 1, Turpin was selling merchandise at a local salvage yard, according to the report. Then investigators learned that Turpin was wanted by police in nearby Rossville, Georgia, for similar crimes. Investigators there provided Chattanooga police with surveillance video showing Turpin driving the stolen Nissan pickup, the affidavit states.

After obtaining an arrest warrant against Turpin, officers visited his home last Saturday.

When they were almost there, they saw a black Ford Escape turning in front of them. At the wheel was a man who, according to police, matched Turpin’s description.

Officers spoke to another resident of the home who told him Turpin was just down the street and should still be there.

The report states that it was at that moment that the officer realized that they had actually seen Turpin before.

The resident gave officers permission to search the property, and there, according to the report, officers discovered the stolen Nissan hidden under blankets and tarps.

Officers also learned that Turpin had been driving without a license and that he had been caught rummaging through the Chattanooga Police Department’s Property Division’s dumpster in March.

Turpin is now charged with 32 counts of auto theft, three counts of tampering with evidence, trespassing, theft of property and evading arrest.