Charges Added In Norwalk Catalytic Converter Thefts: Police

NORWALK, CT — Two men accused of stealing a catalytic converter in a Norwalk parking lot now face additional charges after detectives found evidence linking them to more catalytic converter thefts, Norwalk police said.

At around 2:08 a.m. Wednesday, police arrested Justin Serrano, 30, and Jose Lopez, 29, both of New Britain, after a witness saw one of the men keeping watch while another was underneath a vehicle using what the witness thought was a reciprocating saw, Norwalk police said.

Responding officers searched the BMW the suspects were driving, and in it they found 13 more catalytic converters, police said.

Read more: 2 Charged In Attempted Catalytic Converter Thefts: Norwalk Police

Later Wednesday morning, police received reports that catalytic converters had been taken from cars in other South Norwalk parking lots overnight.

Detectives found enough evidence to link Serrano and Lopez to those thefts as well, police said, though officers didn't provide any further details.

As a result, each man's bond was raised from $50,000 to $150,000, and each now faces additional charges.

In total, Serrano is charged with:

• Three counts of third-degree larceny
• Eight counts of fifth-degree larceny
• Three counts of first-degree criminal mischief
• Interfering/resisting
• Three counts of third-degree criminal trespassing
• Two counts of tampering with a motor vehicle
• Conspiracy
• Driving with a suspended license
• Driving without insurance
• Driving without registration
• Failure to grant right-of-way
• Misuse of plates

In total, Lopez is charged with:

• Three counts of third-degree larceny
• Eight counts of fifth-degree larceny
• Three counts of first-degree criminal mischief
• Three counts of criminal trespassing
• Two counts of tampering with a motor vehicle
• Interfering/resisting
• Conspiracy
• False statement

Serrano and Lopez are scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court on March 29. An investigation into the thefts is ongoing.