A Bridgeport man has been charged by the Putnam County Sheriff's Department for alleged catalytic converter theft in the Town of Southeast.  The 19-year old was arrested at Patterson Court Wednesday when he appeared on unrelated charges. 

The two counts of grand larceny, criminal mischief and auto stripping charges stem from a February 7th incident at a Southeast business on Tilly Foster Road.  An investigation and canvass of the area by Sheriff's Investigators determined another converter was stolen from a separate vehicle at a nearby business and had yet to be discovered by the owner.  Surveillance cameras showed the thefts from parked cars occurred the night before. 

The Bridgeport man's name was not immediately released.  He was charged this week after being interviewed at the Westchester Medical Center, where he was being treated for an injury unrelated to the converter thefts, and admitted to the crimes.  He is due in court April 7th. 

The suspects allegedly cut the converters off both vehicles with a battery-powered circular saw.  They were involved in another crime handled by New York State Police Brewster later the same night. 

Carmel Police are investigating similar incidents involving the same suspects. The investigation is ongoing, and the identities of additional suspects and arrests are pending.