MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) - Police in Manchester investigating the theft of numerous catalytic converters since the fall have made an arrest.
In the latest case, David Vallee, 50, agreed to fix an oil leak on an acquaintance’s car in December, police said. Vallee was supposed to return the car in two days, but didn’t. The car was eventually found in a hotel parking lot, with the catalytic converters missing. He was arrested on Saturday in absentia, because he was already being held on similar charges.
Vallee is also believed to have sold 29 stolen catalytic converters to a local scrap yard between October and December, making more than $7,400. He was found with two others on Jan. 31, police said.
It wasn’t immediately known if Vallee has a lawyer. A number for him couldn’t be found.
Many law enforcement agencies around the nation are reporting an increase in stolen cars and vehicle burglaries during the coronavirus pandemic.
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