A Chattooga County man was arrested Tuesday after authorities say he stole 24 catalytic converters from a Woodstock landscaping company.
Benjamin S. Mobbs, 27, of Lyerly, was booked in the Cherokee County jail Tuesday on one felony count for conspiracy to commit a felony, one felony count for theft by taking, and one misdemeanor count of criminal trespassing for unlawful purpose, according to an arrest warrant. As of Wednesday, he remained in custody with a bond set of $8,387.50, said Capt. Jay Baker, Cherokee Sheriff’s Office spokesperson.
According to the warrant, Mobbs entered the premises of O’Neill Landscape Company in Woodstock between 2 a.m. and 3:45 a.m. Oct. 5 to steal 24 catalytic converters from 12 commercial vehicles parked at the property, using a battery-powered saw to remove them. A catalytic converter is an exhaust emission control device. Thefts of the devices have increased across the country in the last two years because they contain valuable precious metals.
The total value of all 24 catalytic converters plus labor to repair is $5,199.30, per the warrant.
The warrant charges Jacob Reynolds with helping to steal the catalytic converters. Reynolds was booked in the Cherokee County jail Dec. 23, and was booked out Dec. 27, said Baker. Bond was $6,000. Reynolds is charged with one felony count of theft by taking, conspiracy to commit a crime, and physical criminal trespassing.
Comments