By Patricia Bogumil
Staff Writer
A Burlington man is charged with multiple felonies for allegedly stealing catalytic converters and accessory parts off vehicles in Union Grove and Burlington dealership lots, then selling the converters and parts for cash.
According to the criminal complaint filed in Racine County Circuit Court:
Burlington detectives set up a sting operation after receiving a tip that a man was interested in selling a 2011 Dodge Ram catalytic converter and particulate filter to a Milwaukee dealer of catalytic converters.
On Dec. 18, a Burlington investigator observed the Milwaukee dealer hand Thomas M. Larose of Burlington $500 in exchange for the two items.
The detective reported that the items were obviously brand new, with one still having a factory sticker attached.
During questioning, Larose admitted that the two items he tried to sell had been stolen from an unnamed dealership in Elkhorn.
He also admitted to stealing catalytic converters off a Ford and Dodge vehicle at Miller Motors in Burlington during the weekend of Dec. 3 and selling those converters to a salvage yard in Milwaukee for a total of $300.
Larose also admitted to stealing auto parts from the Martin Garage dealership in Union Grove in late November.
Estimates to replace the stolen parts and repair damage done to each vehicle ranged from $3,600 to $6,000.
Larose is charged as a repeater offender with four counts of felony criminal damage to property and four counts of felony theft of movable property valued at $2,500 to $5,000.
If convicted of all charges, he faces 60 years in prison; $80,000 in fines; or both.
Larose is scheduled for a Jan. 4 preliminary hearing in Racine County Circuit Court.
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