Catalytic converter thefts return to Pittsfield Township
At least four catalytic converters were stolen off vehicles in Pittsfield Township last week, leading police to believe the crime trend may be returning.
The thefts occurred in the 4700 and 4800 block of Washtenaw Avenue and 2100 block of Arbor Circle West.
Police say all four thefts were reported Aug. 6. Converters were stolen off a 1999 Pontiac Grand Am, two different 2001 Chevy Cavaliers and a 2002 Chevy Cavalier.
Officials say replacing a catalytic converter can cost about $1,000. In addition, vehicles are sometimes damaged when the catalytic converter is taken.
The catalytic converter is used to convert harmful pollutants into less harmful emissions before they leave the exhaust system. It's located in the car's exhaust system, and precious metals such as platinum, palladium, rhodium or gold are used as the catalyst. Police say thieves sell the converters to metal recyclers, who then extract the metal and resell it.
In February, numerous catalytic converters were stolen in Ann Arbor, Pittsfield Township, Ypsilanti Township and on the University of Michigan campus.
Comments
Ricebrnr
Fri, Aug 13, 2010 : 1:36 p.m.
You have to show your driver's license due to the use of pseudoephedrine ( the Decongestant ) in Claritan-D. Thanks to all the meth heads for inconveniencing the rest of us. Welcome to the lowest common denominator way of life.
Dan
Fri, Aug 13, 2010 : 1:25 p.m.
If you have to give your drivers license number to buy a package of Claritan-D at CVS, surely we can require people to have to give ID of some sort for the sale of catalytic converters
Ricebrnr
Fri, Aug 13, 2010 : 9:25 a.m.
As long as we're registering sawzalls, might as well make them take a test and background check them too. We all know that'll stop these thefts in their tracks.....NOT!
Fat Bill
Fri, Aug 13, 2010 : 9:09 a.m.
Catalytic conversters are not required for a car to run; usually the "underprivileged" will simply bypass or hollow out clogged converters and keep on driving. It is the metal the thieves are after, this is just another of many waves of this type of crime. They still steal copper wiring and plumbing as well. Maybe we should force owners of battery-powered sawzalls to register their tools...):
michiganpoorboy
Fri, Aug 13, 2010 : 9:03 a.m.
You can by replacements cats for older cars for around $ 100.00 so why would you let mechanics charge you thousands?????????? Are the people in Ann Ann Arbor that foolish. What do they teach at UM do what any one tells you and do not think for your self?????????????? Sounds like a fine Libb-Socialist school.
tdw
Fri, Aug 13, 2010 : 8:50 a.m.
@ Davidian I'm sure there is no possible way that anyone from A2 could be involved in this.We all know A2 is completely void of criminals.
jjc155
Fri, Aug 13, 2010 : 8:38 a.m.
@action, these guys are pretty slick, rechargable sawzall type saw and they can get em off the car in under a minute. Do it a night and you are gone before the noise even wakes anyone up and definately well before the police can make it to the area.
actionjackson
Fri, Aug 13, 2010 : 8:13 a.m.
Sure seems like it would make quite a racket cutting these out, plus a pair or two of feet sticking out from under a car would be a good reason for a citizen to pick up a cell and dial the authorities.
jjc155
Fri, Aug 13, 2010 : 7:34 a.m.
@Davidian, I highly doubt that there are that many ghetto rides in need of convertors (or that their owners would truely care if they got a ticket). While a small fraction of thefts may go to that end I would think the couple of hundred bucks a convertor (yep that much, there is platinum and some other high value metals in em) that the thieves get from the scrap yard is much more than the spare change they would get from the car owners.
Davidian
Fri, Aug 13, 2010 : 7:19 a.m.
They got it all wrong. Yes, they're being sold to scrapyards, but they're mainly being re-installed on cars in the 'hoods that surround Ann Arbor (Inkster, Ypsi, etc.) People need cars. Cops pull over and ticket people with loud cars. They're getting them fixed somehow, and somewhere. Ask yourself: how are people that are literally living off welfare affording to have their converters fixed when a new OEM converter costs 2-3000 dollars?
boom
Thu, Aug 12, 2010 : 10:29 p.m.
tdw, that was funny. kc, I agree, it should be illegal for scrap yards to take them or at least they should begin taking steps to identify whoever is turning them in. I'm not sure, but I think pawn shops have to document i.d. when something is brought into them. Maybe scrap yards could follow a similar program. At least for catalytic converters.
KC
Thu, Aug 12, 2010 : 9:50 p.m.
Terrible situation. It should be illegal for the scrap yards to pay these thieves for the CATS. I had one stolen from my Dodge Sprinter work van a couple months ago in Superior Township. It cost my insurance company $ 4500.00 to replace the unit. I know my rates are going up next year!
tdw
Thu, Aug 12, 2010 : 7:01 p.m.
Thats kind of odd.I was just talking about stolen converters with some friends this morning