Man, 40, accused of disabling buses

MT. PLEASANT - A 40-year-old man has been charged with burglary and theft for removing catalytic converters from Mt. Pleasant Community School District buses.

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department determined on Wednesday that Richard Lunsford, who had been arrested for unrelated charges and outstanding warrants, was responsible for the crime.

Police responded to a call at approximately 8:42 p.m. on Sunday at the Mt. Pleasant Bus Barn. Lunsford gained access to the area by cutting through a fence and caused approximately $1,600 worth of damage to each bus, according to a news release from the department. Witnesses were able to provide 'pertinent information to charge Lunsford.”

Mt. Pleasant Community School District Superintendent John Henriksen said the district found out about the missing converters after a driver, who was doing some final preparations on Sunday evening, started his bus.

'It sounded really, really loud, and he checked it, and the converter had been cut off,” Henriksen said.

The superintendent added the district had substitute buses and the incident did not affect the district's ability to transport students on Monday. The district has ordered new converters to repair the two buses.

Lunsford was charged with one count of third-degree burglary and two counts of second-degree theft.

The Mt. Pleasant Police was assisted by the New London Police Department.