Police Department

SPD Makes Arrest for Catalytic Converter Theft

Julie Humphreys, Public Safety Communication Manager, 509.625.5868

Friday, April 15, 2022 at 5:13 p.m.

The arrest of a suspect in a catalytic converter theft today leads to the seizure of 3 vehicles and additional stolen property

On 04/15/2022 SPD officers arrested Kennard Supak (30) for theft of a catalytic converter on 03/29/22 from a car parked at a retail outlet in North Spokane. Witnesses noticed two males sitting in a truck parked very near to the car from which the converter was stolen. They saw one man exit the truck and a short time later report hearing the sound of metal being cut coming from underneath the car. The witnesses were able to provide police a description of the truck.  Detectives with SPD’s SPEAR (Stolen Property Enforcement and Recovery) Unit developed probable cause to arrest Supak and another suspect for 2^nd Degree Theft, 2^nd Degree Maliciuos Mischief, and 1^st Degree Trafficking in Stolen Property. This morning officers located and arrested Supak and seized the truck. He was booked into the Spokane County Jail. Supak has 6 felony convictions.

The second suspect is still outstanding. While police officers were searching for him at a home he is known to frequent, they located a vehicle identified as a getaway car in the theft of a $1,300 guitar earlier this week. Additionally officers located stolen property and a visible handgun inside another vehicle in the driveway. Both cars were seized.

The substantial increase in the theft of catalytic converters in our area is a growing concern. Theives steal the converters and sell them for anywhere from $50 to $500. Sadly, victims often face upwards of $2,000 for repairs needed with a new converter. In this case, the victim’s estimated cost of repair was $2,800. This theft happened in broad daylight in a visible retail outlet parking lot. SPD reminds you, like the witnesses in this case, to be alert – if you see someone under a car or hear metal being cut, please safely notify police.

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