Oak Creek Catalytic Converter Burglar Caught In Greenfield: Cops

GREENFIELD, WI -- Police in Greenfield say they arrested and charged an Oak Creek man with cutting off a vehicle's catalytic converter. Court records say that Nicholas A. Latus, 28, Oak Creek, did not show up for his preliminary hearing on Sep. 24 and now has a warrant out for his arrest.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Milwaukee County, a Greenfield police officer was called to a business on the 4700 block of S. 47th Street by the owners of the property because they were holding down Latus, 28, who they just saw cut away a catalytic converter on one of their work vehicles.

According to police, a man and woman arrived at the business just after 6 a.m. on the morning of Sep. 7 when they heard what sounded like metal cutting outside of their office window.

When they investigated the noise, they saw Latus wearing a ski mask emerge from underneath one of the company's work vehicles. He was also holding the vehicle's cut-out catalytic converter and a tool bag in his other hand, police reported.

According to the criminal complaint, Latus began to walk away with the catalytic converter, when the man ordered him to stop. He dropped the catalytic converter and ran away, with the man chasing him.

According to police, Latus was tackled by the man, who restrained him and waited for police to arrive.

Latus has been charged with removing a major part of a vehicle without the owner's consent and could face up to 18 months behind bars if he is convicted.

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