A call to Barrie police early Sunday morning about a "family dispute" at a local motel led to the recovery of stolen catalytic converters.
Shortly after 2 a.m., Oct. 15, officers responded to an incident that had taken place at a motel located at Anne Street North and Donald Street, near the bridge over Highway 400.
When officers arrived on scene, police say they were told the argument had been "resolved" after one of the occupants refused to allow a man, who had been knocking at the door, entry into the room.
"While investigating this occurrence, police observed what appeared to be a number of catalytic converters, which were later determined to have been stolen," police stated in a news release on Monday afternoon.
Three suspects who were in the motel room, including a 21-year-old Essa Township man as well as two Barrie men, aged 31 and 35, were arrested and transported to Barrie Police Headquarters where the investigation continued.
All three men have been charged with possession of stolen property over $5,000 and possession of a break-in instrument.
The 31-year-old man was also charged with failure to comply with an undertaking, while the other two were charged with fail to comply with probation orders.
All three of the accused were held in custody for bail hearings, which took place Sunday by video.
Police allege a fourth person in the room, a 27-year-old woman of no fixed address, provided false identification and managed to elude being arrested. A warrant of arrest is being sought for her and her involvement in regard to the stolen catalytic converters.
Catalytic converters, an exhaust emission control device on vehicles which contain precious metals such as platinum and gold, are often targeted by thieves and then sold to scrap yards.
None of the allegations have been tested in court.
