A Medford man was arrested today in the theft of catalytic converters from three vehicles parked at a Calverton business, according to Riverhead Town Police.
Police said Jason Labbe was arrested on charges of grand larceny, criminal mischief and auto stripping after an investigation into a Aug. 22, 2022 incident where catalytic converters were stolen from three vehicles located in a locked and fenced parking lot at Broken Arrow Industries on Edwards Avenue.
Catalytic converters, a car part that contains valuable metals, have been a target for thieves who resell the parts for thousands of dollars. Roughly 153,000 catalytic converters were stolen from vehicles in 2022, according to estimates by vehicle data company CARFAX.
Labbe is expected to be arraigned in Riverhead Town Justice Court today and charged with one count of first degree auto stripping; two counts of third-degree grand larceny; three counts of second-degree criminal mischief; one count of third-degree criminal mischief; and one count of fourth-degree grand larceny, according to Riverhead Town Police.
Editor’s note: A criminal charge is an accusation. A person charged with a crime is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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