Towman Charged After Stolen Car Scrapped Within Hours

A Milwaukee tow truck driver has been charged with felony theft after authorities say he arranged for a stolen vehicle to be scrapped and sold for cash within hours of its disappearance.

According to a criminal complaint, 30-year-old Derrick D. Hutchins is accused of taking a vehicle belonging to Teon Thomas and delivering it to Milwaukee Iron & Metal, where it was crushed. Prosecutors allege Hutchins signed paperwork affirming he had the legal right to sell the vehicle before receiving payment.

Thomas said his vehicle disappeared after he left it with a flat tire caused by a pothole on May 1. After realizing he had left a pair of AirPods inside, he used the device’s tracking feature to locate the car at a Milwaukee scrapyard, where it had already been destroyed.

Court records indicate police identified Hutchins through scrapyard documentation and surveillance evidence. Milwaukee Iron & Metal stated it followed required procedures and noted there is no statewide system for verifying whether vehicles have been reported stolen before being accepted for scrap.

Hutchins is scheduled to make his first court appearance June 18. If convicted, he faces up to 3½ years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Source: https://www.tmj4.com/