Stolen $100,000 Chevy Chevelle Recovered after Undercover Sting

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle (Photo: FOX 59 News)

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (April 26, 2014) – A Michigan man is getting his prized 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle, valued at more than $100,000, back after a man tried to sell it to him after it was stolen.

Keith Parmer offered at $20,000 reward for the vehicle after it was stolen while he was in Indianapolis for the 2013 Good Guy’s Car Show held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Parmer’s Chevelle was one of five vehicles stolen on September 22, 2013; including a 1949 Chevy custom truck and a 2002 Chevy Dually pickup.  Those two vehicles were recovered five days after they were stolen, but not Parmer’s Chevelle.

Parmer, who is from Holt according to published reports, told our affiliate FOX59 news that his Chevelle was in a locked trailer outside the Wyngate Hotel when it was stolen.  Thieves cut the locks off the trailer and lowered the ramp in order to steal the car.

Seven months later, the original owners of the Chevelle, Parmer and Terrie Perkins, got a phone call from a man who identified himself as “Herb”.

“Herb” told Parmer he’d traded a motorcycle and $20,000 cash for the Chevelle, and told Parmer he wanted to return the Chevelle,  but needed to recoup the $20,000 from the alleged trade.

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“Herb” told Parmer he’d give him two weeks to come up with the money, or he’d been forced to sell the car for parts.

After that phone call in late March, Parmer contacted police, who set up a meeting with “Herb” in Hamilton County, Indiana on April 12.  During the phone call to set up that meeting, “Herb” said he was still looking to recoup his $20,000, but agreed to sell the Chevelle for $10,000.

Herbert Jones III (Photo: Indiana State Police)

Undercover officers waited in a parking lot where the meeting was supposed to take place and took “Herb” into custody when he arrived with the Chevelle.  A continued investigation by the Indiana State Police led to an arrest warrant for “Herb” on April 25, who’s been identified as 31-year-old Herbert Lee Jones III.

Jones faces charges of Receiving Stolen Property worth at least $100,000; and Auto Theft, both felonies.  Published reports indicate the 1970 Chevy Chevelle was recovered intact.