Catalytic Converter Thief Caught After Saw Wakes Up Resident: PD

NAPERVILLE, IL — Naperville police say a vigilant resident helped them catch a thief who had just cut a catalytic converter from a car in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The resident called police around 4 a.m. to report hearing a noise that sounded like an electric saw coming from a parking lot located in the 500 block of Aurora Avenue. Police got to the scene shortly after and found a man with an electric saw and a catalytic converter that had been stolen from a nearby car, according to an update on social media.

Naperville police say "similar problems" have been reported in the same area. The man was taken into custody and charged with a felony.

The news comes a week after nearby Wheaton reported a rash of catalytic converter thefts in the span of one night. Wheaton police told Patch 16 catalytic converters had been reported stolen in the city in the past three months.

Thieves often steal catalytic converters —part of the car's exhaust system— because these parts often contain platinum, rhodium, or other precious metals that can turn a profit at scrapyards. Catalytic converter thieves are known to target vehicles late at night or early in the morning under the cover of darkness.

If a catalytic converter is stolen, your car will make a loud roar when it runs, and you'll notice part of your exhaust system is missing when you look under your car.

To help prevent catalytic converter theft, mechanics recommend parking in a well-lit spot or in a garage or installing a security device on the catalytic converter itself. You can also etch your car's VIN into your catalytic converter to make it easier to track down at scrapyards in the event that it is stolen.

Readers with information are encouraged to call Naperville police at 630-420-6666.