3 RI Men Charged In Braintree Catalytic Converter Thefts

BRAINTREE, MA — Three Rhode Island men are charged with causing $12,000 in damage after the theft of six catalytic converters, at a Braintree business, police said.

The thefts occurred in Braintree on Halloween, police said on Monday.

Alberto Rivera, 22, of Cranston, Kuron Mitchell, 23, and Richard Robinson, 32, of Providence, face charges of trespassing, larceny over $1,200, three counts of malicious damage to a motor vehicle, and possession of a burglarious tool.

According to police, officers received an alarm call from a business on Wood Road after 11 p.m. on Oct. 31.

"After a thorough search of the property and surrounding area units could not locate anyone," police said. "About a half hour later, another call came in and the alarm company could see several people on camera in the fenced-in yard. Multiple units responded and formed a perimeter around the yard. Officers entered the yard by jumping the fence."

Once officers entered the yard, they heard the suspects hopping another fence and heading into the nearby woods. As officers followed those sounds, they found six catalytic converters in a pile next to the fence, officials said.

All three were eventually arrested, leading to charges. The officers involved have been nominated for the Police Award Certificate, officials said.