On 9/3/14 and 9/4/14 the DeKalb Police Department received numerous reports of catalytic converter thefts – all occurring in the west and northwest section of our community. Video was obtained from one parking lot and depicts the suspect vehicle being a black Cadillac CTS.
Catalytic converters sit at the bottom of a vehicle, next to the muffler, and filter out incoming chemicals with the help of precious metals inside. Victims will know when their catalytic converter is missing when they start their vehicle as a loud, raspy noise will be heard. The three most common ways to remove a catalytic converter is by unbolting it from the exhaust pipe, cutting it off with a power saw or melting it off with a torch.
Anyone with information regarding these thefts or observes any suspicious activity in and around a vehicle should call the Police immediately at 815/748-8400.
To help prevent catalytic converter thefts, we suggest the following:
Always park in well-lighted areas.
At shopping centers and other similar parking lots, park close to the entrance of the building or near the access road where there is a lot of traffic.
If you own or work at a business or factory, park within a fenced area that’s busy during the day and secured at night.
Engrave your license plate number on the converter to make it traceable.
Purchase a vehicle security system and make sure it’s set to trigger with just the slightest motion.
Visit a local muffler shop and have the converter secured to the vehicle’s frame with a couple of pieces of hardened steel welded to the frame.
Check out the different types of catalytic converter theft deterrent systems at your local auto parts store or online.
For more information contact Person: Det. Paul Mott at the DeKalb Police.
Click Here To Submit A News Tip Or Story