Serial Catalytic Converter Thief Arrested After Spotted in Massapequa LIRR Lot, Cops Say
Massapequa, NY - February 16, 2018 - The Burglary Pattern Squad Vehicle Theft Section of the Major Case Bureau reports the arrest of a Whitestone man for Criminal Possession of Stolen Property that occurred February 8, 2018 at 1220P.M. in Massapequa.
According to the detectives, a Seventh Precinct Police Officer observed a male acting suspiciously in the Massapequa Rail Road parking lot. The officer having knowledge of several recent larcenies of catalytic converters from autos in the area attempted to interview the male subject. The subject them fled the scene in a small gray vehicle. The Police Officer did recover power tools at the scene which are commonly used to facilitate the larceny of catalytic converters.
A subsequent follow up investigation led to the arrest of Michael Cipriati, 33, of Whitestone. The defendant Cipriati is charged with Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 3rd Degree, Grand Larceny 4th Degree, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 4th Degree, Criminal Mischief 3rd Degree, Tampering with Physical Evidence, Auto Stripping 3rd and Possession of Burglars Tools. The defendant will be arraigned February 16, 2018 at First District Court, 99 Main Street, Hempstead.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.