Three men arrested in connection with the theft of four cars from a Ringgold dealership were released from the Catoosa County Jail on bond, authorities said Thursday.
Matthew Korakoth Sithimolada, Steven Brien Herberer and Alexander Cole Butler were arrested in connection with the theft of a 2009 ACR Dodge Viper valued at $107,000, a 2010 Dodge Charger SRT10 valued at $45,000, a 2010 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon valued at $34,000 and a 2004 Dodge Viper convertible valued at $50,000, records show.
Mike Robbins of the Ringgold Chrysler Dodge Jeep dealership said the cars were taken from his lot Tuesday night.
The Charger and the 2004 Viper were found undamaged in the parking lot of the Majestic movie theater in Chattanooga, Mr. Robbins said.
The 2009 Viper was wrecked in front of the Krystal on U.S. Highway 27 in Fort Oglethorpe, and the Jeep was wrecked in a ditch on Ringgold Road. Both vehicles were totaled, Mr. Robbins said.
“I just couldn’t believe it. As it unfolded I thought, ‘Good grief, what’s going to happen next?'” Mr. Robbins said. “I think they were just out acting dumb.”
Fort Oglethorpe police, who investigated the case, could not be reached for comment Thursday. No incident report was available, and officers at the Catoosa County Jail would not release information. Catoosa County Sheriff Phil Summers could not be reached for comment.
Mr. Robbins said police told him an officer saw the 2009 Viper peel out and crash on a city street.
Mr. Robbins said police told him the driver crashed into a pole and fled but left his cell phone in the car. Officers also found bolt cutters and his .380-caliber automatic pistol in the car, he said.
“We’ve not had anything like this,” Mr. Robbins said of the thefts.