AMSTERDAM - City police arrested a man suspected of stealing parts off parked cars with the intent to sell them for scrap.
William L. Johnson, 33, of 273 W. Main St., was arrested Thursday and charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property and second-degree criminal mischief, both felonies.
On Thursday, an officer saw Johnson placing catalytic converters in the back of a vehicle outside of his residence on West Main Street, according to the police report. Police said they determined the catalytic converters were stolen from five vehicles parked at Bill's Auto Parts on Route 67 earlier that morning.
Detectives determined Johnson had stolen three additional catalytic converters and a diesel resonator from Vern's Auto on May 11, and those four items had already been sold and were not recovered.
Johnson had been selling stolen car parts to an area metal scrap recycler, police said.
He faces additional charges for the theft of the catalytic converters from Bill's Auto, which is outside the city.
The Montgomery County Sheriff's Department is assisting with the investigation.
Johnson was arraigned in City Court and sent to the Montgomery County Jail without bail.