NILES, Ohio -  The uptick in the number of catalytic converter thefts in the Valley has resulted in one arrest.

Niles Police have arrested 33-year-old Richard Webber of Girard as a suspect for a converter theft on North Road.

An officer captured Webber behind the Treasures Flea Market on Route 422 Sunday afternoon after a witness reported that someone had cut a converter from a vehicle behind Penn Care medical supplies.

Police say when they spotted Webber, he dropped the converter and ran away.

After Webber’s capture, police confiscated the converter and a cordless power saw as evidence.

Webber is charged with petty theft, possessing criminal tools, breaking and entering, and vandalism.

Police estimate the value of each stolen converter at $500.