WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — The theft of catalytic converters from vehicles in the region is on the rise, and a fleet of mobile health trucks in Montgomery County were recent targets.
16 catalytic converters, used to control exhaust emissions, were stolen from the trucks parked at Aardvark Mobile Tours, based in West Conshohocken. The trucks were used for COVID-19 testing and vaccinations.
Aardvark CEO Larry Borden called the theft "a violation." He told NBC 10 the theft was caught on surveillance video.
"Two separate cars," he described, "two separate teams, and they were in and out very fast."
West Conshohocken police said it's happening all over the region, even in broad daylight. "This is like a regional issue with catalytic converters being stolen off vehicles stolen off trucks in residential neighborhoods and businesses," Police Chief Michael Sinclair told NBC 10.
"Everyone needs to be aware of your neighbor's property, and if you do see a suspicious vehicle, contact 911."
Officials say the thieves could get a few hundred dollars for each converter on the black market. However, the cost for the vehicle owner to make repairs could total over $1,000.
