Arlington Heights police received a report of theft of motor vehicle parts in at the north downtown parking garage at 155 East Eastman Street. Police received a report that an unknown offender or offenders removed catalytic conveter from two vehicles — a silver 2007 Lexus RX350 worth about $2200 and a black 2011 Lexus RX350 worth about $1700.
The crimes are reported to have occurred between Monday, May 28, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. and Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at 7:30 a.m.
A catalytic converter was also reported stolen from a black 2011 Lexus RX350 between Sunday, May 13, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. and Monday, May 14, 2012 at 7:30 a.m. It is unknown if it is the same vehicle.
An unknown offender or offenders used a saw to remove the catalytic converter from a blue 2000 Mercedes-Benz ML320 in February 2011. The catalytic converter has a replacement value of about $1,500.
Arlington Heights police also received a report that a catalytic converter was stolen from a parking garage at 85 West Algonquin Road in Arlington Heights on December 22, 2011.
Elk Grove Village police received multiple reports of catalytic converter thefts in late 2011 to fleet vehicles in industrial complex areas of Elk Grove Village.
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 or All Saw (file photo).
Catalytic converters can be removed after a few quick cuts by a battery-powered reciprocating saw, or All-Saw. Residents should report suspicious activity involving people carrying similar saws or cases that could hold these saws. The saws are about two-to-three feet long.
Catalytic converter theft is also 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. Vans, 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.
Catalytic converters have also been stolen from vehicles parked at the Arlington Park commuter lot.
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Anyone having information about this or any other serious crime in Arlington Heights should submit an anonymous text tip by texting the keyword 847AHPD and your message to 847411(tip411) or call Arlington Heights Crime Stoppers at (847) 590-STOP. Callers are guaranteed anonymity and may qualify for a cash reward of up to $1,000.