Timothy Burney was arrested for the possession of a stolen vehicle, as well as check fraud on May 28. According to Manning resident and owner of the car Ashley Frye-Martin, this isn’t an isolated event.
“I believe he took it for the sixth time that night,” said Martin.
The car, a 2015 white Chevrolet Tahoe, was left at a local business for servicing a few weeks ago. When Martin came to retrieve it, something was off.
“I couldn’t find my keys under the floor mat,” said Martin. “I assumed they were misplaced and we ordered a new set. However, we had to wait six days for them to get here.”
The next time she went to grab something out of her car, it got even stranger.
“There were a few things missing, as well as some damage,” said Martin. “I called my husband and told him that someone had been driving my car.”
Soon after, a friend left a check for her. This check was cashed in a different name.
“I think he would have gotten away with everything if he hadn’t cashed that check,” said Martin. “That check gave us a name.”
As Martin was giving this information to the Manning Police Department, a call came in for a vehicle on 521 that matched the description and license plate number. Sure enough, it was Martin’s car.
“We rushed out and followed to find out if it was ours or not,” said Martin. “And we found out that it was, and that he was claiming he had had it for a while.”
The car was returned to her with extensive damages and, strangely enough, new radio presets.
“He changed all of my radio presets to his favorites,” said Martin. “He also placed car freshening trees on every hook throughout the car. I can’t help but laugh.”
All-in-all, Martin is happy to have her car back, and safe.
