East Providence man charged in connection with the theft of 21 catalytic converters

Chief Christopher D. Delmonte reports that a Rhode Island man has been charged in connection with catalytic converter thefts that occurred in 2021.

At approximately 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021, Bridgewater Police responded to A&A Metro Transportation, 1001 Bedford Street, for a report of catalytic converters being removed from multiple buses during the evening or early morning hours.

The initial investigating officer noted that the catalytic converters appeared to have been cut and removed with a Sawzall-type cutting tool from 19 buses and two other vehicles.

Bridgewater Detectives and the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department Bureau of Criminal Investigations responded to assist at the scene. A preliminary investigation showed that there were possibly two individuals involved.

Through a subsequent investigation, Ryan A Gobern of East Providence, was identified as a suspect and Bridgewater Police detectives obtained a warrant from Brockton District Court for his arrest.

Approximately one year later, on Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022, the Bridgewater Police Department was notified that Gobern had been arrested by the Rhode Island State Police on unrelated charges, as well as the warrant.

Gobern was transferred to the custody of Bridgewater Police and was transported to the Bridgewater Police station for booking on Monday, February 28th. He was arraigned in Brockton District Court on Monday.

Gobern was charged with Malicious Damage to Motor Vehicle (19 buses), Larceny Over $1,200 (19 catalytic converters), Malicious Damage to Motor Vehicle (private vehicle), Larceny Under $1,200 (catalytic converter, private vehicle), and Possession of Burglarious Instrument.

Bridgewater Police Officer Mark Kilgour, Detective Jacob Poulin, Detective Sgt. Scott Hile, and Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department Bureau of Criminal Investigation Deputy Kayla White were involved in the investigation, which remains active and ongoing.