Footage Reveals What Led To 35-Year Prison Sentence For Tire Thief Involved In Texas Crime Ring

42-year-old Ansel Pennygraph has been given a 35-year prison sentence for his part in an organized crime operation. It involved stealing wheels off of vehicles throughout the state of Texas and then reselling them.

Following a two-day trial, Pennygraph was found guilty by a jury in Harris County.

William Cowardin, the prosecutor, stated that they have connected about 30 individuals to the crew; however, only four of them are facing charges. He added that the group was persistent and got better with the scheme over time. For example, they would look for parking lots that contained numerous of vehicles, like apartment complexes, and take their wheels.

Evidence shown in court revealed Pennygraph backing up a white Dodge Caravan to the rolling door and taking a great amount of wheels out. The wheels had been transported to a warehouse in the 9000 block of Sweetwater Lane.

Several hours after that, a white truck with a purchaser inside, came to the warehouse and stolen wheels were purchased.

After combing through Pennygraph’s phone, investigators discovered several regular purchasers. One of them was a business.

When the trial took place, it was revealed that close to $191,000 worth of wheels were stolen, possibly even more.

Pennygraph managed the operation from 2016 to the start of 2023. During that seven year period, he had been apprehended over twelve times. He continued the crime spree each time he had been out on bond. Evidence showed that as one of the thefts occurred, Pennygraph was shot in the head and traveled to a medical facility in a white Dodge Van. A month after that, he started stealing again.

Additionally, footage from a January 2023 police chase depicted it coming to an end and officers discovering multiple wheels in the back of the white Dodge Caravan.