Johnstown man heads to county court, accused of stealing 35 catalytic converters, police say

VINCO, Pa. – A Johnstown-area man will appear in Cambria County court, accused of stealing more than $4,000 in tools and catalytic converters from an East Taylor Township auto shop, authorities said.

Wade Leroy Roles, 53, of the 800 block of William Penn Avenue, waived his right to a preliminary hearing Monday before District Judge Mary Ann Zanghi, of Vinco.

According to a complaint affidavit, East Taylor Township police allege that Roles entered the property of the former E&E Car Parlor on William Penn Avenue Sept. 7.

The property owner said Roles allegedly stole all of his tools and 35 catalytic converters from vehicles, including foreign cars. Some of the vehicles were repaired and others were being repaired for sale, the affidavit said.

Cost of the catalytic converters totaled $1,680.

Cost of the tools was $2,372.

Roles was identified after allegedly bringing 11 of the stolen catalytic converters to a local scrap yard.

Police charged Roles with theft by unlawful taking, theft of catalytic converters, theft of property and theft from a motor vehicle.

Roles is free on bond.