Wasilla man held on suspicion of catalytic converter thefts

WASILLA, Alaska (AP) — A Wasilla man suspected of stealing catalytic converters from at least 21 vehicles has been charged with 52 counts of theft, criminal mischief and trespass.

Tristen Balthazore, 24, was arrested Wednesday, Alaska State Troopers announced. He was jailed overnight at Mat-Su Pretrial Facility and scheduled for arraignment Thursday. Online court documents do not list his attorney.

The Palmer Criminal Suppression Unit of the troopers in January started a formal investigation into thefts of catalytic converters, the control devices on vehicles that reduce pollutants.

Thefts in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough had been occurring since October, troopers said. They determined that 21 vehicles had been targeted with $42,000 in losses.

Investigators identified Balthazore as a suspect, and he was arrested Wednesday.