Catalytic Converter Thieves Apprehended

Police arrest two while attempting to sell stolen parts to company

SHINGLEHOUSE – Two men remain behind bars after State Police, acting on a tip from New York State Police, apprehended the men while attempting to sell catalytic converters to the Friendly Core Company in Shinglehouse, PA.

Police report that they received information that the NYSP were investigating a theft of approximately 80 to 100 catalytic converters, which had recently been stolen from a location in Ogdensburg, NY. They also received information that unknown subjects were currently attempting to sell a large amount of catalytic converters to the Friendly Core Company.

State Police then made contact with Joshua A. Pitts, of Pyrites, NY, and Robert P. Forsythe, of Canton, NY, on Wednesday at around 8:00 pm, when they were in the process of attempting to sell 89 of the items to the Friendly Core Company.

Police determined that the units were stolen and subsequently took both men into custody without incident.

Police later determined that Forsythe was the operator of the vehicle used to transport the items and was under the influence of a controlled substance. He was charged with Receiving Stolen Property and Driving Under the Influence.

It was also determined that his counterpart in the crime, Joshua Pitts, was in possession of drug paraphernalia and residue of a controlled substance. He was charged with Receiving Stolen Property and (2) counts of violating the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act.

Both men were arraigned before District Justice Annette L. Easton and remanded to the Potter County Jail after failing to post the necessary $15,000 bail.

Trooper Rothermel was assisted at the scene by Shinglehouse Chief Buchholz.