CANTON -- A Canton teen was jailed on $500 bail today after he allegedly was spotted “ransacking” a vehicle, Canton Police Chief Victor Raycroft said.

Cody Walrath, 18, of 42 Miner St., was arrested on one count of petit larceny after a local businessman observed him going through his vehicle.

Donal Tracy apprehended Walrath at 7:15 a.m. and held him until police arrived.

Tracy indicated he had just parked his vehicle near his office when he observed Walrath entering his vehicle through the driver’s door window.

Tracy immediately exited his office and grabbed Walrath before he was able to escape.

Police believe Walrath removed some loose coins, a hat and a cell phone. Walrath was turned over to police for processing.

During an interview with police, Walrath admitted to entering several vehicles during the past few days taking money and small items, police said.

Police said Walrath was wearing a watch that he had taken from another vehicle earlier in the morning, but police have yet to identify the owner.

After the interview, police executed a search warrant at Walrath’s apartment where a few small items believed stolen, were recovered.

The items have not been identified as coming from known thefts. Police theorize the items may have been taken overnight and have not yet been noticed missing by the owners.

Walrath was arraigned before Pierrepont Town Justice Robert Camp and was committed to the St. Lawrence County Jail in lieu of $500 cash bail.

The investigation into Walrath’s activities and his potential involvement in other vehicle larcenies continues.

Police are again asking residents who may have had their vehicles entered, to contact them whether or not they had property stolen. Police are hoping to construct a timeline of all the vehicle thefts and need residents to report any entries not yet known to the department.