Long Island Catalytic Converter Thief Nabbed By K-9 In Woods Search: Cops

ROCKY POINT, NY — A Medford man, who reportedly injured a local business owner after he stole two catalytic converters from box trucks, was tracked down in the woods by a police dog during a three-hour search in Rocky Point on Saturday morning, Suffolk police said.

A man with a saw and a catalytic converter was seen walking in a parking lot on 25A around 9 a.m. by a nearby business owner, police said, adding that the witness then gave chase until the man went inside the Rocky Point State Pine Barrens Preserve nearby.

Johnnie Can, the owner of the Rocky Point Barber Shop, later came forward and spoke with News 12, telling a reporter that the suspect came inside his shop, and he acted strangely, so he continued to watch his video surveillance. Can, who was born in Turkey and later served in the military can be seen taking off after the suspect in the surveillance video shown in the broadcast.

He told the outlet that he caught up with the suspect struggled with him, sustaining cuts on his hand, and took his keys out of his car, so that he could not go anywhere, News 12 reported.

"I got him good, he told the outlet, adding, "I am telling you I gave him to the cops on a silver plate."

Daniel Labbe was found hiding in the preserve by K-9 Section Officer Matthew Dewitt and his partner, Champ, after a three-hour search by multiple units, including the 7th Precinct’s patrol division and a department helicopter, police said.

Labbe, 42, was taken to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries and evaluation, according to police.

Detectives from the 7th Squad charged Labbe with fourth-degree grand larceny, second-degree auto stripping, third-degree criminal mischief, as well as possession of burglar’s tools and fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, according to police.