MONROE COUNTY, Mich. (WWJ) -- The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is telling residents to be on alert as they investigate a rash of catalytic converter thefts over the past few months.
Authorities say they have had “numerous reports” of stolen catalytic converters from vehicles over the past several months, though they did not specify exact numbers.
Multiple arrests have been made, according to the sheriff’s office, but they are still investigating because the thefts have continued, even after the arrests. Police did not disclose any information about the suspects who were arrested.
Sheriff Troy Goodnough wants to make the public aware of the thefts, which “have occurred during all times of the day and night.”
“The usual method of operation by the suspect(s) is to target vehicles in parking lots of commercial businesses, churches, nursing homes and other similar locations and sometimes even residential homes,” the sheriff’s office says in a press release.
“The suspect(s) will crawl under the vehicle and cut out the catalytic converter with a cutting tool, such as a cordless reciprocating saw, then sell the removed part for scrap metal.”
Catalytic converters -- which are exhaust emission control devices that reduce toxic gases and pollutants in exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine into less-toxic pollutants -- are popular targets for thieves because they contain precious metals such as platinum, palladium and rhodium.
The sheriff’s office is actively investigating the rash of thefts and is conducting “aggressive patrols and property checks.”
Goodnough is asking for the public’s assistance by “keeping a watchful eye” out for any possible suspects committing these crimes.
Anyone observing any suspicious activity is asked to immediately report it to Monroe County Central Dispatch by calling 911.
Anyone with information regarding the catalytic converter thefts is asked to call the Monroe County Sheriff's Office Detective Bureau at 734-240-7530. If a person wishes to remain anonymous, they can contact Crime Stoppers of Michigan at 1-800-SPEAK-UP, where they could be eligible for a cash reward.
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