COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. — Two suspects have been arrested after deputies say they were caught trying to steal catalytic converters from a Kent County business.
Deputies say it all started right before 9 p.m. Wednesday night at a tow truck Company near the 5000 block of West River Drive in Comstock Park.
Roger Davis, 21, of Muir and Daniel Armstrong, 39, of Belding were both charged with larceny from a motor vehicle. Armstrong was also charged with possession of a controlled substance.
When deputies arrived they say Davis fled the scene in a car while Armstrong jumped in the Grand River.
Deputies were able to use a drone and thermal imaging to track Armstrong down the suspect who jumped into the river.
Kent County Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young says multiple local law enforcement agencies deployed police boats and units to aide in the search.
"We were able to avert some of the thefts that we believed were going to happen," she says.
Sheriff LaJoye-Young says there's been a local and national increase in catalytic converter thefts.
"It's so much more expensive to replace than it is to then the value of the device as they turn it in," she says. "So it's significant to us. We have seen a large number of them, and we're not alone in that."
Sheriff LaJoye-Young suggests people park their cars in a well-lit area or inside if possible to protect their property.
Both Armstrong and Davis were eventually arrested near the White Pine Trail.
RELATED VIDEO: Violence at Baxter neighborhood intersection and surrounding area concerns nearby business
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.