Two men who have been arrested by Lexington Police for stealing a catalytic converter from a vehicle, Police Chief Terrence Green announced Monday. They were arrested after they fled from a business.

On Sunday morning, officers were dispatched to a business at the 200 block of Swartz Road as the property owner was watching his live feed security camera and saw that a man went underneath one of his work vans to remove the catalytic converter.

A responding officer saw a vehicle leaving the scene and initiated a traffic stop. During the investigation, Dalton Blake Galloway, age 26 of Gilbert, and Jacob Mitchell Hill, age 27 of Newberry, were arrested and were found to have the stolen catalytic converter along with possessing the tools to commit this crime to include a Sawzall, extra blades, and a vehicle jack.

“Officers are constantly patrolling business districts throughout the Town of Lexington and this case highlights the importance of security cameras and use of technology to safeguard properties”, Chief Terrence Green said. “No doubt, there has been a noticeable increase of catalytic converter thefts recently and I appreciate both the awareness of the business owner in calling us and our officers’ quick response.”

Dalton Galloway has been charged with Driving Under Suspension, PWID Methamphetamine, Injury to Fixtures to Obtain Non-Ferrous Metal, Criminal Conspiracy, Auto Tampering, Possession of Non-Ferrous Metals in Vehicles, and Possession of Burglary Tools.

Jacob Hill has been charged with PWID Methamphetamine, Injury to Fixtures to Obtain Non-Ferrous Metal, Criminal Conspiracy, Auto Tampering, and Possession of Non-Ferrous Metals in Vehicles.

Dalton Galloway and Jacob Hill were transported to the Lexington County Detention Center for Bond Court.