MANCHESTER, Conn. (WTIC Radio) - The Manchester Police Department made an arrest connected to multiple catalytic converter thefts when a suspect turned himself in on Monday.
In mid- and late-January, police responded to two separate reports of catalytic converter thefts at Lynch Toyota on the Tolland Turnpike that resulted in the damage of 24 vehicles.
The thefts cost an estimated total of approximately $57,000 in damages between the two incidents, police said.
After the Greater Hartford Regional Auto Theft Task Force assumed the investigation, officers determined that the suspect vehicle used in both incidents matched the description of a vehicle in catalytic converter thefts in Bristol, East Hartford, Farmington, Southington and Vernon between last December and January.
Officers later obtained an arrest warrant for Joanberto Rivera, 22, of New Britain after he was identified on surveillance footage in both thefts from Lynch Toyota.
According to police, Rivera turned himself into Manchester Police Monday afternoon after officers tried to locate him in New Britain.
Rivera was charged with two counts of Larceny in the first degree, two counts of Conspiracy to Commit Larceny in the first degree, two counts of Conspiracy to Commit Criminal Mischief in the first degree, two counts of Conspiracy to Commit Tampering with a Motor Vehicle, and Possession of Burglary Tools.
Rivera presented bail upon turning himself in on the court-set $75,000 bond and was released from custody after he was processed, police said.
According to police, Rivera has six other pending cases and is free on combined bonds for these cases exceeding $750,000.