Apr 24, 2008 9:14 am US/Eastern
Thieves Stealing Car Part For Valuable Platinum
NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WBZ) ―
-
-
A catalytic converter in a Ford.
WBZ
There's a new target for scrap metal thieves - catalytic converters. They're going after the emission control devices in vehicles to get at the valuable platinum inside.
New Bedford police say the thieves are going through car dealerships and parking lots at night. If they find easy access underneath the car or SUV, they strike with a saw.
Mike Durant of Ashley Ford told WBZ 6 cars on his lot have been hit.
"With a sharp blade and a good battery you can cut one off probably in five minutes or so," he said.
New Bedford police say it's a nationwide problem and a new epidemic in their city.
"Once you take apart the catalytic converter they have access to that platinum and that metal is melted down and it's taken in much like copper wire is. It's just that platinum is even more valuable than copper right now," said New Bedford police Lt. Jeffrey Silva.
Scrap dealers are paying for $100 a converter. Some vehicles have 2 or 3 of these devices.
"The least amount of work for the most amount of profit," Silva said.
Investigators believe scrap dealers can help them put an end to the problem.
"There's really very little reason for someone to be coming into a salvage lot with a brand new catalytic converter, particularly if you can see that it's been cut with a saw," Silva said.
The fine for accepting a stolen catalytic converter is only $50. New Bedford police want to increase that fine. Platinum is going for $2,000 an ounce.
Police are also asking the city to change the law to require scrap dealers to take photos of the converters people bring them as another tool for linking them to thefts.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Stumble It!
Comments