Crime & Safety

Hopkins Sees Wave of Catalytic Converter Thefts

Thieves are taking the auto parts for the precious metals they contain.

The employee became suspicious when he saw a muffler on the ground in the business’ parking lot May 10. The employee checked beneath a customer’s Jeep and saw that the catalytic converter was gone. Home Town Auto would later discover that thieves had stolen another catalytic converter off a vehicle.

“It doesn’t make us feel very comfortable,” said Doug Blilie, who owns the business. “They just cut them out and take them.”

Home Town Auto Care is not alone. are investigating a rash of catalytic converter thefts that have taken place over the past two weeks. In all, thieves have cut catalytic converters off vehicles at least six times between May 6 and May 20, with most of the thefts happening at local auto repair businesses.

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Police Sgt. Michael Glassberg said catalytic converter thefts are a metro-wide problem. Thieves steal the parts for the platinum, palladium or rhodium they contain. Glassberg said Toyotas have been particular targets because of the greater amounts of platinum in their catalytic converters.

This is not Hopkins’ first experience with such thefts. A couple years ago, police were able to catch a group in the act.

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“It does come in streaks,” Glassberg said. “This is nothing new. We’ve seen it several years now.”

Police are working with scrap dealers to identify anyone suspicious who’s been selling the parts. In the meantime, they encourage residents to park their vehicles in locked garages whenever possible—or keep them in well-lit areas.

For his part, Blilie has taken steps to make it harder for thieves to hit his business again, such as boosting security and adding more lights. He’d also like to get local businesses together to discuss crime trends and ensure that Hopkins remains a safe community.

“I’m kind of not feeling that way so much anymore,” he said. “I’ve had so much happen here.”

 

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