This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Crime & Safety

Catalytic Converter Thieves Strike in Fairlawn

Four vehicles parked within one mile of each other have parts stolen Dec. 1-2.

When you Google the phrase “catalytic converter theft,” scads of hits return detailing the continued popularity of the crime across the country. Now, four Fairlawn residents can add their names to the list of those victimized by thieves hoping to cash in through recyclers.

According to reports, catalytic converters were stolen from two Hondas, an Oldsmobile and a Pontiac between late evening Dec. 1 and early morning Dec. 2. All four thefts occurred at homes located within one mile of each other.

The combined replacement value of the four catalytic converters is $2,600. The thieves won't score anywhere near that amount for their stolen parts.

Find out what's happening in Fairlawn-Bathwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

And what is a catalytic converter? It’s a small device – either welded or bolted into a vehicle’s exhaust system – that's designed to reduce harmful environmental emissions.

Catalytic converters contain precious metals that are valuable to recyclers and scrap yards. A quick sampling of internet companies that buy the used parts showed payouts ranging from $20 to $140 per converter.

Find out what's happening in Fairlawn-Bathwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Here’s the scoop on the thefts in Fairlawn:

  • A catalytic converter valued at $500 was removed from a 1998 Honda Accord while it was parked in a lot in the 100 block of Buffington Road. The car’s owner, a 43-year-old woman, told police the crime occurred between 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 and 7:45 a.m. Dec. 2
  • A catalytic converter valued at $500 was removed from a 2002 Honda Accord parked outside an apartment in the 100 block of South Miller Road. The 26-year-old car owner told police she parked her car at 9 p.m. Dec. 1 and discovered the theft at 7:55 a.m. Dec. 2.
  • A catalytic converter valued at $800 was removed from a 2000 Oldsmobile Alero between 11 p.m. Nov. 29 and 9:11 a.m. Dec. 2, when the vehicle owner called police. The man, 51, said the car was parked in his shared garage in the 2800 block of Chamberlain Road. Police said it “appeared that some type of portable saw was used to cut the exhaust pipe on either side of the converter to facilitate the removal.”
  • A catalytic converter valued at $800 was removed from a 1997 Pontiac Grand Am parked in a carport at a home in the 2800 block of Chamberlain Road. The female vehicle owner, 43, said the theft occurred between 9:30 p.m. Dec. 1 and 9:08 a.m. Dec. 2. Police said it appears that the thief used a Sawzall-style reciprocating saw or similar tool to remove the item.

Want to learn some ways to protect your vehicle's converter and what another state is doing to discourage converter thieves? Check out this article on Aol Autos.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.

More from Fairlawn-Bath