10/22/2026
MEDIA RELEASE
CLOVIS POLICE DEPARTMENT
CLOVIS, NEW MEXICO
Released through the Office of Trevor Thron, Chief of Police,
Clovis Police Department
By Roman Romero, Captain, Clovis Police Department, (575) 763-9423
Release Date: 10/21/2026
Incident Type: Catalytic Converter Thefts, Clovis, NM
Contact Person: Roman Romero, Captain, Public Information Officer, 575-763-9423
Clovis, NM – October 21, 2026 – On October 19, 2026, at about 7:30 a.m., Detectives of the Clovis Police Department were dispatched to the City of Clovis Public Works building, 801 South Norris Street. Employees reported that multiple city vehicles’ catalytic converters had been cut from vehicles and were stolen. The four stolen catalytic converters replacement costs were estimated to be approximately $10,617.42. Detectives processed the scene, recovering used Dewalt Sawzall blades.
At about 10:05 a.m., an Officer was dispatched to ENMRSH, 2700 East 7th Street. A catalytic converter had been cut away from a vehicle in their parking lot and was stolen. Video surveillance showed two subjects in an older model Ford F150 involved in the theft that occurred on October 17th, 2026 at about 3:30 a.m. The suspects used a Sawzall to remove the catalytic converter. As the Officer was returning to the Police Department, he observed the suspect vehicle parked beside a residence in the 900 block of East 7th Street. The Officer made contact with Lawernce Kolek (44 years of age), as Detectives responded to the scene. Kolek was informed that a search warrant would be executed on the vehicle, Kolek had relayed he was borrowing.
A search warrant was generated on the vehicle. A Dewalt Sawzall, a catalytic converter consistent with the model stolen from the vehicle at ENMRSH, a personal use amount of suspected methamphetamine and Kolek’s cell phone were seized. A subsequent search warrant of the phone showed photos of catalytic converters consistent with those stolen from the Public Works building and additional surveillance video placed the Ford F150 at the City of Clovis Public Works Building.
An arrest warrant for Lawrence Kolek was generated by Detectives for Larceny (3rd degree felony), Criminal Damage over $1000.00 (4th degree felony) Possession of Stolen Property (4th degree felony), Possession of Burglary Tools (4th degree felony), and Possession of Methamphetamine (4th degree felony). Kolek was taken into custody at his mother’s home in the 200 block of East 10th Street during the ex*****on of a related search warrant at that residence. He is currently in custody at the Curry County Adult Detention Center. Detectives are working to identify additional suspects involved in these thefts.
Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Clovis Police Department at 575-769-1921. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through Tip411 or Curry County Crime Stoppers at 575-763-7000. Disclaimer: Information regarding an arrest is a matter of public record and does not establish guilt or verify that a crime took place.
