Catalytic Converter Thefts Discovered and Charges Filed

Catalytic converters contain metals that can be extracted and then sold for cash.

Press Release November 24, 2010

The Wrentham Police Department with the assistance from Norfolk Police and Plainville Police charged two men in the early morning hours on November 23^rd for stealing car parts from a car dealership in the center of town.

Patrolman Scott Ellis was on patrol during the 12am to 8am shift and discovered a man under a Honda Acura SUV at Central Auto Sales,

30 Franklin Street

with a cordless

saw –zall. When approached the man ducked between several cars in the lot and Officer called for backup. Within minutes Sergeant George Labonte arrived and it was noted the catalytic converter and exhaust pipe had been removed.

Shortly thereafter, Norfolk Police Officer Eric Van Ness and Plainville Police Officer Mathew Webber assisted the Wrentham Officers in a search for the suspect. The Officers located the car man, identified as Scott Nichols, age 32 of Chepachet, R.I. with bolt cutters, a floor jack and two stolen catalytic converters which were taken from cars at Regional Service Center. Nichols was charged with Receiving Stolen Property, Possession of Burglarious Instrument and Conspiracy.

The second suspect was located on

South Street

and identified as Joshua Bernier, age 21 of Woonsocket, R.I. and he was charged with Larceny, Possession of Burglarious Instrument, Destruction of Property, and Conspiracy.

Both suspects were arraigned at Wrentham District Court.