Man allegedly broke into Whatcom Facilities compound and stole 3 catalytic converters
In arresting a man suspected of stealing a car in Bellingham, sheriff’s deputies believe they also located the person responsible for breaking into a Whatcom County Facilities compound and cutting the catalytic converter off three county trucks.
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office booked Joel Mario James III, 31, into Whatcom County Jail Tuesday, Oct. 5, on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, first-degree theft, second-degree burglary and first-degree trafficking. Jail records show he is being held in lieu of $5,000 bail.
The vehicle was reported stolen Sunday, Oct. 3, from the 2000 block of West Bakerview Road, Whatcom County Superior Court documents show, and James was found driving it in the 1600 block of Marine Drive on Tuesday.
Deputies arrested James and interviewed him at the scene, documents state, and he admitted to stealing the vehicle. Surveillance video also confirmed the theft.
Deputies also found that the license plates had been removed and replaced by a trip permit in the rear window and the vehicle’s ignition had been replaced by one from a lawnmower, documents state.
Additionally, deputies found a reciprocating saw with James’ name on it and 20 saw blades in the stolen car, according to documents, and the stolen vehicle was found into the driveway of someone known to buy catalytic converters.
On Monday, Oct. 4, Whatcom County Facilities Management had reported a burglary at their compound, after someone had apparently cut through the chain-link fence around the locked facility and then cut off and stole catalytic converters from three county vehicles, documents state.
James admitted to deputies that he had stolen the converters off the county trucks, hid them in the bushes for the night and then came back the next morning to pick them up, documents show. He said that he sold the converters for approximately $300.
Whatcom County Facilities Management reported that it cost approximately $5,100 to replace the three catalytic converters.
James also admitted to stealing other converters, documents state, and those alleged thefts remain under investigation.
This story was originally published October 7, 2021 at 12:42 PM.
