Milford Police Seek Catalytic Converter Thief Who Hit Wal-Mart

MILFORD, CT — Local police need the public's help in tracking down a suspect responsible for a catalytic converter theft at a Target store parking lot and an altercation with a witness.

Milford police posted a photo of the suspect today on it's Facebook page, asking the public for any help in identifying the suspect.

Police said at about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the parking lot of Target's 1191 Boston Post Road store, a witness observed a male enter the parking lot in a white Toyota Solara, exit the vehicle with a Sawzall and approach another vehicle.

According to police, the witness said the male then cut the catalytic converter off of the vehicle.

The male then saw the witness taking pictures of him and, police said, the suspect approached the witness's vehicle, smashed out the driver's side window, yelled and swung the Sawzall around causing injury to the witness's arm.

The male taunted the witness to exit their vehicle and then left in the white Toyota Solara with misused Connecticut plates, police said in the Facebook post.

Those having any identifying information can call Milford police officer Antonio Aquino at 203-878-6551.

Milford police said thefts of catalytic converters are on the rise because they are made of precious metals.

"It is easy to steal and very expensive to replace. Thefts are usually fast and simple," Milford police posted. "Thieves are becoming bolder and citizens are being asked to do their part to help. If you see anything suspicious occurring call the police immediately so we can send officers out."

As a result, police offered some tips should they see a suspicious person appearing to steal a catalytic converter. They include:
• Do not approach a subject.
• Get the description of the suspect vehicle. (Type/make/model/color/are there significant marks/designs/damage on the vehicle).
• Get the license plate in formation (state/numbers/letters).
• Get a subject description (physical description/clothing description).
• Thieves use a loud saw to remove the converter. "If you see someone under a car and hear a loud saw, call police immediately. Do not approach the subjects alone," Milford police wrote.
• Often, thieves work as a team. One person will remove the converter, and another will drive the getaway car. "If you see something suspicious, try to get the license plate of the car and call police immediately," police said.

Milford police also offered some tips for motorists to avoid having their vehicle targeted. They include:
• Try to park where the car will be visible, under lights after dark or near entrances and windows at businesses.
• Park near security cameras if possible.
• You can help protect your car against catalytic converter theft by etching the license plate number on it.
• Ask mechanics about installing a catalytic converter protection device.

For the Milford Police Department's Facebook page, click on this link.