Catalytic Converter Thieves Caught When One Calls for a Ride

A story out of Massachussets town of Wrentham had police apprehending two would-be thieves attempting to make off with a trunk full of stolen catalytic converters.
Two Rhode Island men were arrested early last Tuesday morning after allegedly stealing car parts from an auto dealer.
Scott Nichols, 32, and Joshua Bernier, 21 were arrested about 1:45 a.m. after allegedly taking catalytic converters from vehicles in the Central Motor Sales lot.
An officer was on routine patrol when he noticed a man under a vehicle in the parking lot.
As the officer approached, the man, who was holding a saw-like tool, allegedly ran and disappeared from sight.
The officer then called for backup and officers from Norfolk, Plainville and the state police arrived and helped him search the area. Nichols, who was found sitting in a vehicle across the street from the auto dealer, initially denied involvement in the thefts, saying his car had ran out of gas and he was waiting for a gas station to open, police said.
Police allege officers then found two catalytic converters in the car’s trunk and Nichols admitted he was involved in the theft.
While officers were questioning Nichols, Bernier, who was later identified as the man beneath the vehicle, allegedly called Nichols, saying he needed a ride.
Police allowed Nichols to pick up Bernier up, then arrested the two men.
Bernier and Nichols were charged with malicious destruction of property, larceny and conspiracy to commit a crime, police said.
Police also determined that Bernier had 11 outstanding arrest warrants dating to 2008. Police say the theft of catalytic converters is on the rise as thieves look to turn the car parts into quick cash.

Click on www.autoserviceworld.com for more news.