Two arrested for theft of catalytic converter

During a routine traffic stop in the 8200 block of Transit Road, Officer Tom Barillari noticed something unusual in the back seat of the vehicle - a catalytic converter.

A rash of thefts of catalytic converters had recently been reported in town.

After interviewing the driver, Kristen Snyder, 24, of Depew, and her passenger, Scott Kraft, 24, of Cheektowaga, the officer charged them with possessing burglary tools - a catalytic saw, and felony criminal possession of stolen property.

Snyder also faces marijuana and controlled substance possession charges, as well as a traffic violation involving an unsafe lane change, which prompted the stop.

Assistant Chief Timothy Green estimated the value of the catalytic convertor at $600.

"We will continue looking into this case. We have had some of these types of catalytic converters stolen in parking lots and dealership lots," Green said.

On Jan. 15 an entry was made in the police blotter for a town vehicle that had its catalytic converter stolen while it was in for service at Glen Campbell Chevrolet, 8040 Transit Road.