Charleston Police arrest 2 in catalytic converter theft from downtown parking garage

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Charleston Police arrested two men in connection with a catalytic converter theft from a parking garage near the South Carolina Aquarium.

Sgt. Chris Stinson, public information officer for the Charleston Police Department, said the incident happened during the early hours of March 23 at the Calhoun Street garage. He said the theft was one in a string of similar thefts currently under investigation.

Bryant Tobey and Raymond Scavio, both 45 and from North Charleston, faced charges related to the unlawful acquisition of nonferrous metals.

Tobey is charged with charged with obtaining nonferrous metals unlawfully and has been released from the Charleston County Detention Center after posting bond.

Scavio is facing a charge of injury to real property to obtain nonferrous metals and remains in custody at the detention center.

Sgt. Stinson said catalytic converter thefts not only result in significant repair costs but also reflect a broader issue of property crime, which generally affects more individuals than other crime types.

“The Charleston Police Department will continue to prioritize these investigations and work diligently to solve any on-going and future incidents,” he said, encouraging people to report suspicious behavior to law enforcement.