Darien Sees 200% Increase In Catalytic Converter Thefts From 2021

DARIEN, CT — Catalytic converter thefts in Darien have skyrocketed in 2022 compared to last year, according to statistics from the Darien Police Department.

From Jan. 1, 2021, through August 31, 2021, there were seven reports of catalytic converter thefts in town, and eight for the entire year.

In 2022, through Aug. 25, there have been 22 such reports. The high for any month this year is five, which happened in June and this month.

Recently in Darien, Police said they responded to the Darien Train Station parking lot just after 7 p.m., on Aug. 15 and met with a man who said he parked his car there at 7 a.m. The man told police that when he started his car at 6 p.m., he discovered the valuable car part was missing.

Police also took a report that same day from a man who said he parked his car in the Whole Foods employee area on Aug. 12, and when he finished his shift, he realized his catalytic converter was missing.

An alarming case was reported on Aug. 8. Police said they met with a resident who said that while she was inside a business on the Post Road, she heard a commotion outside in the parking lot. Police said when she went outside, she saw a man trying to saw off her catalytic converter, while another man stood nearby.

Police said an employee confronted the men, but they continued to saw off the valuable car part before they left. Police said the men drove off in a royal blue Honda Accord with no plates. An investigation remains ongoing.

Sgt. Dan Skoumbros of the DPD told Patch in June that the trend of thieves targeting cars parked at residences is new, and such thefts were previously confined to public parking lots.

Car thefts, which have also plagued Darien, can be prevented largely by locking the doors and taking the keys, but catalytic converter thefts are difficult to defend against, Skoumbros noted. He urged residents to park their cars in a garage if they have one.

Skoumbros also said residents should call police right away if they hear or see anything suspicious.

Earlier this summer, Gov. Ned Lamont signed a bill into law aimed at curbing catalytic converter thefts. Thefts have increased nationally in recent years.

Catalytic converters contain valuable metals such as rhodium, palladium and platinum, which can be sold at high prices.