Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A former Twin Cities man was sentenced today for stealing catalytic converters in Rochester.

According to Olmsted County Court records, 25-year-old David Htoo and another man were arrested following a traffic stop in Rochester in early February 2023. The court document says a man had called 911 earlier the same day and reported chasing away people attempting to steal a catalytic converter.

He Was Arrested During a Traffic Stop That Led to the Discovery of 5 Stolen Catalytic Converters

The criminal complaint filed against Htoo says a Rochester Police Officer later spotted a car matching the description of the vehicle provided by the 911 caller and initiated the traffic stop. The officer reported spotting a reciprocating saw on the front seat floorboard of the vehicle, along with a floor jack on the rear seat floorboard. The court document says the officer also observed a white powdery substance on the driver's seat.

That led to a search of the car and the discovery of five catalytic converters and 13 sawsall blades. The criminal complaint states the search also led to the discovery of a vacuum cleaner, still in a box with a shipping label, that had been reported stolen from a front porch.

According to the court document, the other man arrested, 37-year-old Nay Thar of St. Paul, told Rochester Police that he had taken a couple of "tubes" from cars in Rochester. The court document says he also told police that he and Htoo are planning to return to St. Paul and sell the catalytic converters.

Htoo earlier entered into a plea agreement and admitted to a felony charge of aiding and abetting theft. In exchange, Olmsted County prosecutors dismissed felony counts of aiding and abetting possession of theft tools and aiding and abetting first-degree damage to property, as well as a gross misdemeanor receiving stolen property charge.

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Htoo, who now has an Albert Lea address, today was sentenced to three years on probation. He was also given a stayed 13 month prison sentence that could be imposed if he fails to complete his probation.

Thar previously entered a guilty plea to aiding and abetting theft and was sentenced to five years on probation.

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