Three men were arrested last week in Bedford County and charged in the theft of catalytic converters from vehicles at two businesses.

Bobby Taylor, 38, and Gregory Brown, 53, both of Roanoke, were arrested Aug. 29 just after midnight while attempting to take converters from the Sadisco salvage yard on Quarterwood Road in Montvale, according to the Bedford County Sheriff's Office. Both men were charged with destroying private property, trespassing and attempted theft.

The sheriff's office said they were also charged with eight additional similar counts related to converter thefts that occurred during the first week of August at Bedford Auto Salvage on Centerville Road in Bedford.

Darrell Martin, 62, of Moneta was arrested Aug. 30 and charged with nine counts of conspiring to commit trespassing or larceny, according to Maj. Ricky Gardner. The counts against Martin are also connected to the incidents at Sadisco and Bedford Auto Salvage.

Catalytic converters reduce the toxicity of emissions and are often the target of thieves because they contain platinum.

"According to these guys, they were getting $40 to $100 apiece for them," Gardner said.

On Aug. 16 and Aug. 20, nearly 20 converters were stolen from businesses in Southeast and Northwest Roanoke.

Gardner said investigators were not sure if there is a connection between the Bedford County thefts and the incidents in Roanoke.