Grand Meadow Man Charged for Catalytic Converter Theft Near Rochester

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Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The Olmsted County Attorney’s Office has charged a Grand Meadow man who is suspected of cutting out and stealing a catalytic converter from a business northeast of Rochester in late May. 

The criminal complaint, filed in court on Friday, accuses 41-year-old Bryce Suess of stealing the converter from a vehicle belonging to a business in Haverhill Township. Security footage shows Suess arriving at the business with a cordless saw shortly before 3 a.m. and departing with a catalytic converter shortly after 3 a.m. on May 26, the complaint states. 

The responding deputy then contacted Watson Recycling in Oronoco and learned Suess had been there twice on the morning of May 26. Staff at the recycling business said they have placed a lock on purchasing items Suess brings in to sell, claiming they are suspicious in nature. Footage from Watson recycling shows Suess was never able to sell the car part, according to the complaint. 

The criminal complaint says the theft caused an estimated $1,500 in damage. Suess is charged with felony first-degree damage to property and felony theft. He’s due to make his first court appearance on October 12.

Related: Catalytic Converter Theft Costs Stewartville Business Over $25,000