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Men Sold Stolen Cars For Scrap, Detectives Say

News Channel 8 photo by PAUL LAMISON

One of the stolen vehicles recovered at Bartow Auto Salvage is taken away today.

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TBO.com

Published: August 29, 2008

  Phillip Henry

  Jazmon Ponder

  Brandon Terrell

  Jovan Washington

  Jermaine Richardson

TAMPA - A group of men sold more than 30 stolen vehicles to Bartow Auto Salvage, Polk County deputies say.

Detectives were researching a trend of stolen cars that hadn't been recovered and were inspecting salvage yards when they discovered stolen cars at the Bartow salvage yard, 3450 U.S. Highway 17 N., according to a Polk County Sheriff's Office news release. At least 10 stolen vehicles were crushed for scrap metal, while 21 stolen vehicles have been recovered.

"The suspects were stealing vehicles from in and around Polk County, bringing them to the salvage yard, representing the vehicles as their own, and were receiving about $10 per 100 pounds for each vehicle," the release states. "The stolen vehicles were then crushed and re-sold by the salvage yard as scrap metal."

So far, more than 800 vehicles have been inspected at the Bartow salvage yard.

At another salvage yard in Lakeland, investigators found two stolen vehicles.

Investigators have arrested three Winter Haven residents they say stole vehicles and sold them for scrap to Bartow Auto Salvage: Phillip Henry, 19; Jazmon Ponder, 18; and Brandon Terrell, 19.

Deputies have warrants for two others: 30-year-old Jovan Washington and 20-year-old Jermaine Richardson.

Vehicles were recovered for the following agencies: Polk County Sheriff's Office, Lakeland Police Department, Auburndale Police Department, Winter Haven Police Department, Haines City Police Department, Hardee County Sheriff's Office and DeSoto County Sheriff's Office.

An investigation is ongoing.

Those with information about Washington or Richardson can call Polk deputies at (863) 534-6200 or Heartland Crime Stoppers at (800) 226-TIPS.

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