A Chandler man charged in July for stealing two catalytic converters has waived his preliminary hearing.
Formal charges of grand larceny were filed July 21 in Lincoln County District Court against Justin Travis Ramsey, 33.
Ramsey, previously convicted of several felonies, was arrested in July by Lincoln County deputies for allegedly stealing the two catalytic converters.
Special Judge Emily Mueller set a $5,000 bond for Ramsey. He made his initial appearance before the judge on July 22 and she set a pre-preliminary hearing for 1:30 p.m. Aug. 12.
On Aug. 13, appearing with his attorney Charles Thompson before Judge Mueller, Ramsey waived his preliminary hearing. The judge set his arraignment for 9:30 a.m. on Sep. 7.
On Sep. 7, appearing before District Judge Cindy Ashwood, Ramsey waived his 30 days and the judge continued the cause until Sep. 21.
On Sep.21, the judge continued the cause until 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 21.
Ramsey is accused of taking and stealing from Ken’s Auto on July 12 two catalytic converters, an automobile wheel and an automobile tire, having a combined value of more than $1,000, accomplished by fraud and stealth with the intent to deprive the owners of those items.
All of those items were recovered by deputies on the day they were allegedly stolen.
Deputy Kevin Roe, while investigating the incident on July 12, states in an affidavit he observed the stolen property inside a vehicle reportedly driven by Ramsey the evening of the alleged heist. Roe said he requested a wrecker for the vehicle due to it having the stolen property inside.
He reported the two catalytic converters were in the rear storage area with fresh cut marks and in the rear seat driver’s side there was a wheel and tire that was identified by Kenny Davis, owner of Ken’s Auto.
Roe also said he located a cell phone on the center console and a black wallet in the driver’s side door with an Oklahoma State ID card with the name Justin Ramsey there with other cards with Ramsey’s name on them as well.
Lincoln County Detective Larry Stover, Sr., met with Davis at Ken’s Auto on July 13 and he walked the detective through the scene and provided surveillance video.
Stover reported he and Undersheriff Tim Donaldson went to Ramsey’s residence and after speaking with Ramsey informed him of his Miranda rights and after further conversation arrested him. He transported Ramsey to the Lincoln County Jail in Chandler and booked him on two counts of third degree burglary, grand larceny over $1,000, concealing stolen property and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
Chandler officers Dax Phipps and Brent Berry also had responded to the call of a burglary in progress on July 12 and Davis, the owner of the business, advised them Ramsey had pulled a gun on him as he was climbing out from under a vehicle.
Also responding were Deputy Jimmy Brown and Sac and Fox Officer Chris Tillman.
Assistant District Attorney Jeff Mixon filed supplemental information showing Ramsey has at least six previous felony convictions between Oct. 23, 2013 and July 17, 2018, all in Lincoln County.