Lake View Thieves Target Specific Car Part

The Chicago Police Department is warning residents of a string of Catalytic Converter thefts around Lake View. Catalytic Converters is a part of a car that, when missing, can cause the vehicle to make a loud "gravelly" sound. The converters take only moments to remove, and they can cost thousands of dollars to replace.

The Catalytic Converters are used to filter toxic emissions from cars. Thieves often target the parts because they're made of plutonium and can be easily sold.

The thefts typically occur late at night or in the early morning hours, and are most often occurring in cars parked in the same spot for long periods of time.

Police advise residents to have their converter sealed to the car's frame at a local muffler shop, and to use their car's security system when possible. If you see any suspicious vehicles, record the license plate and report it to 911 immediately.

A similar string of thefts happened in the neighborhood in October of 2012.