Man from Ohio accused of catalytic converter thefts in eastern Massachusetts

An Ohio man has been arrested by police in Massachusetts after allegedly stealing catalytic converters from vehicles in a parking lot.

According to police, on Friday just after 3:00 a.m., Franklin Police was contacted by Dean College Public Safety. Dean College Public Safety Officers were monitoring their security cameras in Jones Lot off of Emmons Street when they observed two males who had jacked up two vehicles in the lot and appeared to be cutting out the catalytic converters. The subjects were reported to be operating a black sedan.

Franklin Police responded and observed a vehicle matching the description pull out of the Jones lot. When the occupants observed the approaching police units, the vehicle pulled into a driveway and the operator fled on foot. The passenger of the vehicle, identified as 20-year-old DaMareon Crook from Lorain, Ohio, remained in the vehicle and was subsequently arrested. It was later determined that the vehicle used by the subjects was a rental car and the license plate that was attached to the vehicle was stolen.

A perimeter was established, and the area was search by Franklin Police Units with the assistance of Wrentham and State Police. The driver could not be located.

After an investigation, Crook was arrested and charged with possession of burglarious tools, two counts of larceny by stealing, seven charges of receiving stolen property (catalytic converters), two counts of defacing or damaging property, attaching registration plate, and use of a motor vehicle in the commission of a felony.

Detectives are currently investigating and trying to identify the operator who fled on foot.