Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Arrest Made In Antique Car Thefts
Law enforcement officials arrested a local man Tuesday in connection with the recent thefts of antique cars from two area properties.
According to a press release issued through the 
Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department Wednesday, Matthew Todd Sells, age 30, of Ethridge was booked on theft charges in connection with the crimes.
On Friday, a 1967 Chevrolet Impala was reported as stolen from a property on High Avenue in Ethridge. The victim reported that numerous other items had been stolen from his garage, including a trailer, various car and engine parts, tools, and an engine hoist.
Altogether he estimated his loss to be $8,200. A neighbor was able to provide deputies with a description of a suspect vehicle.
On Saturday, deputies were summoned to investigate the theft of a 1957 Chevrolet Belair from a property on Buie Road in Summertown. The car had an estimated value of $5,000. There, a neighbor reported seeing three men in a roll-back wrecker drive away with the car.
Detectives received information from the Lawrenceburg Police Department that aided in the investigation. They were able to provide information regarding the roll-back wrecker. Utilizing that information detectives were able to link Sell to the crimes.
Investigators report making contact with Sells at a Depot Street, Ethridge property where they report, “It is believed he was arranging to steal and sell another antique vehicle.”
Sells was placed under arrest on two counts of theft over $1,000. It was also determined that he had outstanding warrants for failure to appear in court. He was transported to the Lawrence County Detention Center where he was incarcerated under a bond of $22,000.
The charges will require that Sells be scheduled appearances in both General Sessions and Circuit Courts.
