Police Bust Catalytic Converter Thieves

By Jeffrey Bellant August 23, 2021
Catalytic converters thefts are on the rise, and few neighborhoods have been left unscathed by thieves sliding under cars and trucks with their saws. Catalytic converters thefts are on the rise, and few neighborhoods have been left unscathed by thieves sliding under cars and trucks with their saws.

Maine State Police have arrested and charged 10 people in connection with a massive catalytic converter theft ring.

Over the past several months the Maine State Police have spear headed a multi-agency investigation into the theft of catalytic converters in Northern Penobscot and Southern Aroostook Counties, according to Maine Police.

Working closely with the Penobscot and Aroostook County District Attorney’s Office, Trooper Tim Saucier executed several search warrants recovering numerous catalytic converters and many power tools also believed to be stolen. 

The defendants sold over 1,000 catalytic converters and received over $190,000 for them dating back to December of 2019.  The estimated replacement cost of these 1,000 converters is over two million dollars.

Nine defendants have initially been charged with a scrap processors violation, a civil violation with a penalty of $1,000 fine for the first offence, $3,000 for a second offense and $4,500 for a third offense. Defendants include: 22-year-old Hunter Craig of Patten, 50-year-old James Curtis of Greenbush, 48-year-old Ronald McGraw of Stacyville, 43-year-old Larry Morgan of Sherman, 26-year-old Bud Nason of Island Falls, 29-year-old Jordan Pelkey of Stacyville, 34-year-old Kyle Stevens of Ludlow, 36-year-old Lucas Suitter of Stacyville and 33-year-old Jessica Tremblay of Silver Ridge.

All of these defendants admitted to the first offense violation with a fine of $1,000. Forty-one-year-old Charles Garton of Patten was charged with the civil scrap metal processors violation and other charges, including unsworn falsification, theft by unauthorized taking or transfer, theft by receiving stolen property and violating conditions of release. At press time, Garton remained incarcerated because of these charges and other felony drug charges.

Maine State Police, in a press release, stated the case remains under investigation and additional charges are pending.

The theft of catalytic converters has become a major problem for law enforcement in Maine and other states. Catalytic converters are difficult to trace and match up to a particular victim’s vehicle. 

The replacement cost for a catalytic converter at a dealership is in the range of $2,000. Catalytic converters sold as scrap go for $150-$1.500 depending on the level of precious metals contained within the converter.

These catalytic converters are stolen and sold to various scrap metal facilities throughout the state. 

In Maine when you sell a catalytic converter to a scrap metal facility you must sign an affidavit swearing the converter is not stolen and produce a photo ID. 

To legally buy and sell catalytic converters the law requires you maintain records to show it was legally obtained.  This crime is closely linked to drug dependence and is a way for people suffering from drug addiction to get money fast. 

According to Maine State Police, the wording and definition of Maine’s current statute has proven challenging for law enforcement and prosecutors alike.  Changes are being proposed to amend the statute through the legislature in the coming months.  

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Last modified on Thursday, 11 November 2021 17:57