MANCHESTER, IOWA – A swift response from Iowa law enforcement led to the capture of an Illinois pair allegedly caught with a stolen catalytic converter Tuesday afternoon.
At approximately 12:03 p.m. on May 5, 2026, Manchester Police received a report of two suspicious individuals near a commercial vehicle in the vicinity of Corcoran Furniture. Upon arrival, officers confirmed that a catalytic converter had been removed from the vehicle.
A “be on the lookout” (BOLO) alert was immediately issued. The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office assisted in locating the suspects’ vehicle as they were reportedly attempting to flee the area. During a subsequent search, authorities discovered the stolen converter inside the vehicle.
The suspects, identified as 36-year-old Chelsey Schmidt and 50-year-old Jeffrey Schmidt, both of Savanna, Illinois, were taken into custody. Both individuals were transported to the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office for booking on theft-related charges.
Manchester Police noted the effective coordination between officers and deputies to prevent further thefts. “Bonnie and Clydes are not welcome in Manchester,” the department stated following the arrests.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities indicated that additional charges may be filed.
