ROCKINGHAM — A man is facing five felony charges after allegedly removing a catalytic converter.
Michael David Hayes, 53, of Rockingham, is accused of breaking into an auto shop on Cartledge Creek Road and cutting the catalytic converter off of a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado on Jan. 29.
Hayes later allegedly sold the part to a recycling center in Marston for $145.
A warrant for arrest was issued to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Jan. 30 charging Hayes with one felony count each of: breaking and entering; larceny; larceny of motor vehicle parts; injury to property to obtain nonferrous metals; and obtaining property by false pretenses.
Hayes was arrested Feb. 5 and booked into the Richmond County Jail on a $5,000 secured bond. He is scheduled to appear in court Feb. 19.
Court records show Hayes has pending traffic citations in Richmond and Anson counties.
Records with the N.C. Department of Adult Correction show that Hayes was most recently convicted in 2021 on felony charges of breaking and entering and attempted larceny in Montgomery County.
He was previously convicted of driving while impaired in 2010 (Harnett County) and 2018 (Montgomery County).
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
