Felony charges for stealing catalytic converters
From the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department
NORTH DANSVILLE / WEST SPARTA- Sheriff Thomas J. Dougherty reports the arrest of Wayland resident on multiple felony warrants following an investigation by the Sheriff’s Office.
On July 28th, 2023, Sheriff’s Investigators located 28 year-old Stephen R. Zeh at a residence in the Village of Geneseo. Zeh was taken into custody on multiple felony level warrants.
It is alleged that in November 2022, Zeh had removed several catalytic converters from vehicles at a business located on McWorther Rd in the Town of N. Dansville. Due to the level of damage done to the vehicles and the value of the converters, Zeh was charged with (6) counts of felony Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree, (6) counts of felony Auto Stripping in the Second Degree, (6) counts of Petit Larceny, and (1) count of Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree. Zeh could not be located, so an arrest warrant was issued for his arrest out of Livingston County Superior Court.
It is also alleged that on December 11th, 2022, Zeh had removed (2) catalytic converters as well as gas from a vehicle that was parked at an address on Nunda Byserville Rd in the Town of West Sparta. Due to the level of damage to the vehicle and the value of the converters, Zeh, was charged with felony Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree, felony Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree, Petit Larceny, and Auto Stripping in the Third Degree. Zeh was once again unable to be located, so an arrest warrant was issued for him out of Livingston County Superior Court.
Zeh was turned over to Central Booking Deputies at the Livingston County Jail for processing and pre- arraignment detention, as the warrants were issued out of Livingston County Superior Court. The District Attorney’s Office was contacted in regards to bail due to the felony level charges. It was recommended that Zeh be held awaiting arraignment in Livingston County Superior Court due to felony warrants being out of Livingston County Superior Court, and a local court judge cannot set bail.
Zeh was later arraigned at Livingston County Superior Court before County Court Justice Jennifer Noto. The Judge did remand Zeh to the custody of the Sheriff with no bail.
The Livingston County Public Defender’s Office was present and represented Zeh for his defense as well as the Livingston County District Attorney’s Office was present to represent the people.
