By By Robbie Byrd, News Editor
Steve Durbin, manager of Terry's Used Car lot, said that all he wished was that two vehicles stolen from his lot would be returned.
And he got his wish.
On Thursday, July 11, Montgomery Police Department officials notified Atmore Police that the second of the two vehicles sought following the thefts at Terry's Used Cars almost two weeks ago had been recovered in tact.
Lionel A. Young, a 48-year-old male, reportedly of 1540 Mantis Drive in Montgomery, was arrested on charges of receiving stolen property and taken to the Montgomery City Jail.
Young was reportedly driving the vehicle, a 1989 Buick Rivera, at 3:40 a.m. Thursday morning with an unidentified female passenger.
The connection to between the two vehicles is unclear, but APD Chief Bruce Lovett believes there is a connection between the two.
"We don't know if (Young) was responsible for the thefts or connected with the other the other theft," Lovett said. "But because both cars were stolen from Atmore and both found in Montgomery there is probably a connection there."
Charges against the passenger and any additional charges against Young are pending completion of an investigation by both the MPD and the APD.
Officers stopped the vehicle Thursday night for operating without a visible tag and ran the VIN number through the National Crime Information Center database and discovered it was reported as stolen from Terry's.
When Durbin arrived to his office June 28, he discovered the Riviera and a 1989 Maroon and Silver GMC extended cab ton pickup truck missing as well as a 1989 Buick Skylark damaged.
Durbin said the burglars attempted to hotwire the Skylark and when, unsuccessful, broke into the office and stole the keys to both the GMC truck and Rivera.
The Riviera was stolen on a Thursday, while the GMC truck was taken the next night.
The GMC truck was found stripped of both its engine and transmission in early July.
Durbin was offering a $500 reward leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
Anyone with any information concerning the burglary or theft is encouraged to call the Atmore Police Department at 368-9141. Information will be kept confidential and you do not have to give your name.