Catalytic Converters Stolen from Three Vehicles
The following information was provided by the Plymouth Township Police Department. Arrests do not indicate convictions.
Stolen Catalytic Converter #1
A Plymouth Township resident said the catalytic converter was stolen from his red 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier between 8 p.m. Sept. 17 and 1 p.m. Sept. 18, according to a Plymouth Township Police report.
The man told the responding officer he returned to his home in the 9000 block of Lilley Road after running errands and parked his car in the community parking lot, the report said. The next day, he went to start his vehicle and noticed the engine sounded a lot louder than usual. According to the report, he looked under his car and noticed the exhaust pipe hanging down and then determined the catalytic converter was stolen. The man was unable to provide possible suspects, but did tell the officer that his neighbor also had a catalytic converter stolen in February, the report said.
Stolen Catalytic Converter #2
A Plymouth Township resident said the catalytic converter was stolen from his green 1997 Pontiac Sunfire between 11 p.m. on Sept. 17 and 1 p.m. on Sept. 18, according to a police report. The man told the responding officer his vehicle was parked in the lot north of his apartment building in the 14000 block of Shadywood Lane, the report said. Police have no suspects.
Stolen Catalytic Converter #3
A woman who parked at the United Methodist Church, 45201 North Territorial Road, told police the catalytic converter was stolen from her 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier between 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21 and 7:20 a.m. Sept. 22, according to a police report.
The woman told the responding officer that she came to the church the night before for an all-night lock-in and parked her car in the lot, the report said. She said she noticed in the morning that the catalytic converter had been stolen from the vehicle, and nothing else was taken or damaged, according to the report. Police have no suspects.
For questions about this crime report, email aysha.jamali@patch.com.
Jen
6:25 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Does ANYONE have a clue why it is popular to steal these? Do they resell them? Is the metal used in them expensive and highly marketable? I just don't grasp why someone would want to take these? Is there a huge market for used ones?
John McKay
6:38 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Jen,
They sell it for scrap. Many catalytic converters contain precious metals and it's a relatively low-risk, high-reward theft item. No need to break into a vehicle and risk an alarm sounding and I'd imagine they have it down to a science.
It's amazing sometimes what people steal, but it's usually based on resale price. Tide detergent was a notoriously hot theft item recently, and I often see flea meds, energy drinks and baby formula.
Paul Schulz
12:16 am on Friday, September 28, 2012
Catalytic Convertors are a hot item amongst thieves. Inside each converter is a precious metal that helps collect tailpipe emissions. And because of the high price paid for recycled converters, and the fact that they are not stamped with any identification numbers, salvage yards pay anywhere between $40.00-$80.00 for each - no questions asked. The crews that heist these parts are very well organized. It is done very quickly, usually in teams. It is simply done, relatively quiet, with a dewalt cordless, and a carbide cutting blade. In less than a minute its cut out, and they are gone. Many thieves do 20, 30, and even 40 a day. Add it up, it is quite lucrative.
Jen
2:41 pm on Friday, September 28, 2012
Wow, thank you. I didn't know that. I wonder if there is a way to secure them better so they aren't able to be stolen as easily. It stinks that some people think having a job means going around and taking other peoples property to make a buck.
Paul Schulz
4:12 pm on Friday, September 28, 2012
You are welcome Jen.