The Orange County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday it had made an arrest in the case of several stolen catalytic converters from an Efland body shop. Deputies arrested Robert Helmick, 40, of Alamance County in a shed near the shop’s property. A K9 unit also assisted in the search.

According to a release from the Sheriff’s Office, Helmick “had several catalytic convertors and cutting tools in his possession, and his face and clothing were speckled with metal shavings.”

Robert Helmick (Image via Orange County Sheriff’s Office)

Helmick was transported to the Sheriff’s Office, where he confessed to the cutting and removal of the catalytic converters. Orange County deputies had responded on back-to-back days last week to reports of the stolen parts. Helmick is facing 35 charges, including 15 counts of felony larceny of motor vehicle parts and 15 counts of felonry injury to property to obtain nonferrous metals. He is being held at the Orange County Detention Center under a $10,000 bond.

 

This is a developing story.

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