SHIRLEY MAN INDICTED FOR THEFT OF CATALYTIC CONVERTERS

(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced the indictment of Blaise Marckesano, 38, for allegedly stealing six catalytic converters from recreational vehicles in Wading River.

“When I was elected District Attorney, I promised to aggressively prosecute ‘quality of life crimes’ which have escalated here in Suffolk County,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Thefts of catalytic converters are a nationwide issue, and with arrests such as this one, we are making good on our promise to aggressively prosecute these thefts and keep Suffolk County safe. If you steal property from your neighbor and damage their property in the process, you will be prosecuted.”

According to the investigation, between December 11, 2021 and December 13, 2021, Marckesano allegedly stole six catalytic converters from recreational vehicles that were parked at W.E.S. Trailer Services in Wading River. Catalytic converters are a part of a vehicle’s exhaust device and use precious metals in their center to reduce pollutants from a vehicle’s engine. These precious metals, which include palladium, platinum, and rhodium can be more valuable than gold and make catalytic converters a target for theft. They can be stolen from underneath a vehicle in only a few minutes using a reciprocating saw.

On February 9, 2023, Marckesano was arraigned before Court of Claims Judge and Acting Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Richard I. Horowitz, on the following charges contained within the indictment:

• One count of Auto Stripping in the First Degree, a Class D felony;
• Five counts of Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree, a Class D felony;
• Five counts of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, a Class E felony;
• One count of Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree, a Class E felony; and
• One count of Petit Larceny, a Class A misdemeanor.

Judge Horowitz ordered Marckesano to be placed on supervised release. He is due back in court on February 28, 2023. Marckesano is being represented by the Legal Aid Society.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Blythe C. Miller of the Financial Crime Bureau.

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Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments.

Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.

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