Two arrested, charged with thefts at Franklin Family dealership

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette

Monday, Oct. 31, 2011, 4:14 p.m. — Two Louisville men were arrested Saturday night after a passer-by saw them tampering with vehicles on the lot at Franklin Family Chevrolet Buick, 120 West John Rowan Blvd. in Bardstown.

A passer-by reported seeing a suspicious man in a gray hooded sweatshirt in the area of the dealership possibly jacking up cars. Officers stopped Christopher Byrd, 21, and Michael Pugh, 26, both of Louisville, after police found them leaving the area on foot. Police discovered that the men were using a large hydraulic jack to raise vehicles in order to remove the wheels and tires. After removing the rims and tires, the vehicles were left on concrete blocks.

Police found four tires hidden inside the bed of a Franklin dealership truck and four others were located in another vehicle parked at Krogers. Police also found concrete blocks in this vehicle similar to those used in the thefts on the dealership lot.

Byrd was charged with theft by unlawful taking over $500 from an automobile, a Class D felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison. Pugh was also charged with theft by unlawful taking over $500 from an automobile; he was also charged with third-degree criminal mischief; and for a probation violation (for misdemeanor offense).

The Bardstown Police are asking that anyone with additional information on this incident contact them at (502) 348-6811.

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