ROSS COUNTY, Ohio — Area residents have been plagued by catalytic converter thefts lately. Many residents in Ross County feel that police are not doing enough to apprehend these thieves.
Catalytic converters are designed to act as a line of defense against harmful exhaust system emissions by turning pollutants into harmless gasses, according to Cars.com. Thieves target catalytic converters because they contain precious metals, like platinum, palladium or rhodium, that are valuable to metal dealers.
The Guardian spoke with one theft victim.
Chris Hoop of Chillicothe reported the theft of two catalytic converters this past New Year’s Eve. Hoop’s had parked his truck at the 207 Park n’ Ride next to the US 23 exit. He left his vehicle parked as he carpooled with his coworkers to attend a funeral. Upon returning, Hoop’s discovered that both catalytic converters had been cut off of his vehicle in broad day light.
Hoop immediately filed a police report but never heard back from deputies, he said. Damage to Hoop’s truck was estimated at close to $4,600, receipts show.
Local scrap yards have been alerted to the rise of catalytic theft cases but continue to buy converters, law enforcement said.
The Guardian spoke with the Pleasant Valley Iron & Metal scrap yard in Chillicothe. The business stated that they are still buying converters but sellers most have a ID and serial numbers on the converter are checked to see if they have been reported stolen. Police say that many other metal yards illegally buy the converters from known criminals who continue to bring them several converters a week.
The Guardian also reached out to Sheriff George Lavender regarding these cases but have not heard back from him.
