A recent rise in catalytic converters thefts is reminding vehicle owners to protect their vehicles.
It’s a nationwide problem that’s reached Onondaga County.
Linda Schreiber frequently takes walks at the Erie Canal in DeWitt. Only this week, she’s considering changing that after her catalytic converter was ripped from her car.
“I pulled in and there was a strange car that was parked adjacent to the parking lot, which I thought was kind of odd,” Schreiber said. “They had their hatch open, and it looked like they had some equipment in there, but I didn’t pay much attention because I come here all the time.”
After her walk, she got in her car it, but it made a loud noise she’d never heard before. She took it to a dealer, and was told someone had cut off her catalytic converter.
“I felt violated. I’m here almost all the time walking, and I’ll never park here by myself anymore,” said Schreiber.
She is not the only one who has experienced this recently. The DeWitt Police Department says it’s occurring a fair amount.
People steal the car part because it contains precious metals and can be sold for hundreds of dollars.
“Anytime we get a rash of these larcenies or incidents that occur, our patrol is aware of it,” said DeWitt Police Lt. Jerry Pace. “We do everything that we possibly can to be in the neighborhood looking for suspicious people.”
Police advise people to keep their parked car visible and in well-lit areas. Etching the license plate number in the catalytic converter is another way to deter theft.
