MONTICELLO – The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Town of Thompson man following a three-month investigation into the theft of catalytic converters from vehicles in Sullivan County.
Deputies arrested Richard Smith, Jr, 51, on May 4 after executing a search warrant at his residence located at 8 Harris-Bushville Road in the Town of Thompson.
Smith is accused of running an unlicensed vehicle dismantling operation across the street from the Harris Post Office.
During the search of the premises, deputies also discovered 28 long guns that Smith is prohibited from possessing due to prior felony convictions.
He was charged with 25 counts of illegal vehicle dismantling and 28 counts of criminal purchase of a weapon, both felonies.
He was also charged with several DEC violations.
Smith was arraigned before Town of Thompson Judge Sharon Jankiewicz and committed to the Sullivan County jail without bail.
The sheriff’s office was assisted in the investigation by State Department of Motor Vehicle investigators, State Police, State Environmental Conservation Police and Sullivan County District Attorney Investigators.
The search warrant was prepared by District Attorney Meagan Galligan.
