Mehlville man accused of springtime catalytic converter thefts

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – A Mehlville man is accused of stealing several catalytic converters in a springtime crime spree.

According to multiple probable cause statements filed by the St. Louis County Police Department, thefts took place on March 22, April 12, April 29, and May 16, in Green Park, the Fenton area, and Earth City.

Police said Mark McKay (age not provided) stole five catalytic converters from an auto body shop in the 11100 block of Lindbergh Business Court on March 22. McKay allegedly cut open part of the fence surrounding the business and accessed the property after it was closed. McKay stole one converter from a van belonging to the business and the other four were from customer vehicles.

The theft was recorded on surveillance video. Police said McKay was wearing a baseball cap and face mask, which made it difficult to identify him. However, he did take off his cap at one point, and detectives recognized him from similar thefts. Cell phone data indicated McKay’s phone was at the auto body shop at the time of the crime.

Police said McKay went to the Maritz complex off of Interstate 44 and stole two converters on April 12 and a third on April 29. A Maritz employee noticed a suspicious vehicle during the first theft and saw the same car several days later at a nearby Walgreens.

Investigators reviewed security footage from the Walgreens and a police officer allegedly recognized McKay in the footage. Cell phone data also placed McKay’s phone at the crime scene and at the time he was spotted at the Walgreens. On April 29, police said McKay used a different vehicle to drive to and from the Maritz complex. Location data from McKay’s phone put him in the area at the time.

Lastly, police said McKay stole catalytic converters from a pair of trucks belonging to an Earth City business. Detectives recognized McKay’s vehicle on surveillance video from a prior theft. And once again, McKay’s cell phone was present at the scene and time of the thefts.

The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged McKay with 10 counts of stealing – catalytic converter and one count of second-degree property damage. McKay was issued multiple criminal summonses to appear in court on Dec. 2 and Dec. 3.

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