A 22-year-old Roanoke Rapids man has been charged on 17 counts of felony larceny of motor vehicle parts as well as felony injury of property to obtain nonferrous metals.

Lieutenant Shane Guyant of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office said the charges against Kenneth Tyler Wood reflect seven victims and 17 vehicles which were stripped of catalytic converters since April. The sheriff’s office began receiving numerous reports since that time, he said.

Wood’s arrest was the result of what Guyant described as an extensive investigation conducted by Detective Sergeant B. Biggerstaff.

Guyant said according to information from the National Insurance Crime Bureau and Carfax, catalytic converter thefts have jumped 325 percent from 2019 through last year.

Wood received a $30,000 bond and has a July 28 court date.