Police investigate 4 thefts of catalytic converters
Police are investigating a number of catalytic converter thefts around the Ann Arbor area during the past week.
Three residents of an apartment complex in the 2600 block of Washtenaw in Ypsilanti Township told police on Thursday that the devices had been cut from their vehicles sometime Tuesday or Wednesday.
Then, a resident of the 300 block of Village Green Boulevard in Ann Arbor Township told police she went to the parking lot on Thursday and found her exhaust system "hanging down" from the car. Police said someone had removed the catalytic converter from the car overnight on Wednesday.
Police continue to investigate, but said they have no initial suspect information.
The thefts of catalytic converters has been a concern in the area and across the U.S. over recent years as the price of metals climbed, making them attractive to thieves.
From a previous story on AnnArbor.com: Catalytic converters are valuable because of what's inside the emissions control devices: precious metals including platinum and palladium.
The impact for a victim can be costly. From the same earlier report: A car missing a catalytic converter will run very loudly. And the repair can be costly, though insurance will usually cover it. Replacing a stolen catalytic converter can cost anywhere from several hundred to more than a thousand dollars, Ann Arbor area repair shops said.
Comments
FormerMichRes
Mon, Sep 24, 2012 : 10:32 a.m.
Where are the ususal commenters complaining about the "students"? Face it, the perps are townies, probably the new A2 elite (street people, panhandlers, and taggers), who are taking advantage of the students.
LXIX
Fri, Sep 21, 2012 : 11:22 p.m.
Sounds like a semi-literate survivalist crime ring. First it was the precious metals from a recent break-in and now its catalytic converters. A previous article said one car was hit twice. If true, then the thieves probably don't read much about the auto industry. Shortly after cats became standard and the technology evolved, the precious medtal content droped - by a lot. Most converters today are worthless because of the expense to extract what little platinum there actually is. That would include those new replacements, too. Platinum has some fashion appeal but is primarily valued by an industry now in recession.
Cory
Fri, Sep 21, 2012 : 6:49 p.m.
If I find one of these guys under my car... ...I'll run 'em over and call it a day. :D
Meangoblue
Fri, Sep 21, 2012 : 6:22 p.m.
These individuals should be apprehended IMMEDIATELY and turned over to the proper authorities!!! Upon indictment they should be forced to appear on the Jerry Springer show with their victims!!!
Paula Gardner
Fri, Sep 21, 2012 : 5:25 p.m.
I just added the municipalities where the thefts took place. Sorry for that omission.
JRW
Fri, Sep 21, 2012 : 4:02 p.m.
Please name the specific apartment complexes as part of complete reporting.
green1
Fri, Sep 21, 2012 : 5:16 p.m.
One thing's for sure. Neither location is in the City of Ann Arbor. The least they could do is correctly identify the jurisdiction or police agency.