The Mars man who went on a spree of catalytic converter thefts faced a Butler County Judge on Thursday.

Taylor M. Baldt, 28, of Mars pleaded guilty to multiple counts of theft and receiving stolen property and was sentenced to serve 6 to 12 months in prison followed by three years of probation.

Court records in four separate but related cases say Baldt stole catalytic converters from numerous vehicles in Butler, Middlesex and Penn townships.

Catalytic converters are anti-pollution devices. Thieves target the part, which is found in front of the muffler, because it contains valuable metals such as platinum.

Baldt was arrested in April when authorities allege he was committing the same crime in communities in the North Hills in Allegheny County. Court records say charges related to those allegations still are pending in Allegheny County Court.

In addition to the prison time, he was ordered to pay about $13,860 in restitution.