Utica police accuse man of attempting to steal catalytic converter

UTICA — A Madison County man has been charged with felony theft after Utica Police said they caught him red handed trying to steal a catalytic converter in broad daylight on Saturday.

Police said Brian Land, 37, of Leonardsville, was found lying underneath a jacked up car at about 12:40 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot of Dollar General on Erie Street.

Police said Land was in possession of a reciprocating saw power tool and they believe he was trying to steal the catalytic converter off the vehicle. Police said they have investigated numerous catalytic converter thefts in their area. The auto parts are prized by thieves for the rare metals found inside, which can be sold for scrap.

Police said Land was familiar with investigators as a suspect in the February 2021 theft of catalytic converters from several state Department of Transportation vehicles. Land was taken into custody for felony fourth-degree grand larceny and third-degree criminal mischief for the February thefts, police stated. He is scheduled to appear in City Court.

The Dec. 4 incident remains under investigation and charges are pending.