A warrant has been issued for a man accused of stealing from a Platte City car dealership last month.
Jason Rebel, 37, was charged with felony stealing on Friday, Feb. 14 for an incident that occurred in the early morning hours of Wednesday, Jan. 8. A warrant for his arrest was issued, but as of press time Rebel had not been arrested. When apprehended, Rebel’s bond is set at $5,000 cash or surety.
According to court documents, a Platte City officer responded to Thoroughbred Ford in Platte City on Jan. 8. The dealership reported that vehicles had been damaged overnight. Catalytic converters had been cut off and stolen from two trucks.
Upon review of surveillance footage, police spotted a suspect — later identified as Rebel — was dropped off at QuikTrip and walked to the dealership, disappearing among the vehicles.
Rebel was allegedly next spotted crawling out from under the trucks and sneaking back out of the lot. After circling the car lot and walking up Branch Street, the suspect appeared on surveillance footage at QuikTrip. Rebel was seen carrying a backpack and his face was captured on the QuikTrip footage.
When the image was shared among law enforcement, Rebel was identified by a Jackson County Sheriff’s Office detective. Platte City police contacted Rebel via telephone, but he denied any involvement in the thefts.
Rebel refused to speak to the Platte City investigator and allegedly told the officer, “just get the warrant.”
Rebel has an extensive criminal record spanning several states, according to police. Previous arrests covered stealing, grand larceny, tampering with a motor vehicle, burglary and drug charges.
Damage to the vehicles is estimated at nearly $5,000.