A 26-year-old Arnold man was arrested in St. Louis County two days after he allegedly stole three catalytic converters from vehicles parked overnight at Dobbs Auto Center, 1654 Jeffco Blvd. Together, the three converters were valued at about $3,100, Arnold Police reported.
The converters were stolen between Nov. 26-27. Two were cut off a 2007 Chevrolet Express and one was cut off a Mitsubishi Outlander. Martin-Jetco Heating and Air Conditioning in Fenton owns the Chevrolet, and Avis Car Rental in Arnold owns the Mitsubishi, the report said.
St. Louis County Police stopped the man in Affton on Nov. 29 while he was driving a black Dodge Stratus that was seen on surveillance footage from the Dobbs Auto Center. Arnold Police Capt. Rich Shular said St. Louis County Police stopped the car after receiving a description of the vehicle, and the man allegedly confessed to stealing the converters.
Arnold Police will seek a stealing charge against the man through the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Shular said.
Shular said there has been a recent rash of stolen catalytic converters in the area, mostly in south St. Louis.
“It is kind of all the rage because metal prices are up,” Shular said.