Elk Grove Village police are investigating several reports of catalytic converter thefts from multiple vehicles Monday morning.
Elk Grove Village police received a report about 8:58 a.m. Monday of a theft of catalytic convertors from several vehicles in the 1600 block of Tonne Road.
Elk Grove Village police received a report about 8:56 a.m. Monday of a theft of catalytic convertors from several vehicles in the 1500 block of Mark Street.
Elk Grove Village police received a report about 6:46 a.m. Monday of a theft of a motor vehicle part in the 1000 block of Arthur Avenue. Police received a report that a catalytic convertor was cut and removed from the vehicle.
Elk Village police are investigating. The first report(s) possibly began on Sunday … developing …
Catalytic converter thefts occur because the exhaust and pollution control devices contain precious metals, such as palladium, platinum and rhodium which can be sold to metal scrappers for about $100 to $150.
Reciprocating saw (file photo).
Catalytic converters can be removed after a few quick cuts by a battery-powered reciprocating saw, or All-Saw.
Catalytic converter theft is increased for vehicles that are parked for prolonged periods of time in large parking lots, such as shopping centers, mass transit commuter lots or company fleet parking lots. Offenders frequently hit a fleet of vehicles at night or over weekends. Pickup trucks and SUVs are at higher risk of theft because it is easier for offenders to slide under the vehicle without jacking it up to access the catalytic converter.