HAVERFORD TWP., Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — Catalytic converter thieves have been hard at work in Delaware County. Law enforcement officials in Haverford Township are on the lookout for the people responsible for a rash of overnight car break-ins. They struck about a dozen times last week alone.
And Volkswagen owners, beware: Police say the thieves seem to be favoring the German automaker.
Deputy Chief Joseph Hagan says Haverford police do not believe there is a problem inherent with Volkswagens that makes them more susceptible to break-in and converter theft.
“It seems to vary from time to time. This night they were strictly going after Volkswagens,” Hagan said.
There are things car owners can do to reduce the risk of catalytic converter theft, Hagan said. Suggestions include always parking overnight in a well-lit area, installing a surveillance camera on your property, and putting an anti-theft device on the converter.
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He said painting the converter will deter theft because it will be harder to sell on the black market.
Haverford is not an outlier for these thefts, he added. Thefts of catalytic converters are surging locally and nationally as thieves seek out the precious metals that fill the inside of the antipollution car part -- platinum, palladium and rhodium. That’s what makes them such a hot commodity, Hagan said.
However, he added, authorities are stepping up their surveillance to make sure the thieves keep their hands to themselves.
“We’ve increased patrols in certain areas, also supplemented with undercover patrol,” he said.