$75K Worth Of Catalytic Converters Stolen In Trumbull: Police

TRUMBULL, CT — More than $75,000 worth of catalytic converters were reported stolen from the entire fleet of school buses at the Cooperative Educational Service School in Trumbull this week, and police are warning residents that such thefts are a growing problem.

The converters, which are anti-pollution devices that attach to a vehicle's exhaust system, were cut off of 28 buses and other school-owned vehicles; each vehicle at the Oakview Drive site had two converters stolen, Trumbull police said.

In recent months, there has been a drastic increase in the theft of catalytic converters in Connecticut and nationwide, according to police.

"Thieves are targeting business parking lots during the overnight hours where many fleet vehicles, trucks, vans, and busses are parked," Trumbull police said. "Thieves have also stolen catalytic converters from privately owned vehicles in residential areas as well. Catalytic converter thefts occur at all hours of the night, and even in broad daylight with other vehicular and pedestrian traffic nearby."

Because catalytic converter are attached along the undercarriage of the vehicle, thieves can steal them in a matter of minutes, and sell it to scrap metal dealers for several hundred dollars while a replacement for a stolen catalytic converter can cost several thousand dollars, police said. The appeal to these items is the value of the expensive metals used in the manufacturing of the catalytic converters.

"Thieves look for easy targets when it comes to catalytic converter thefts like from trucks and SUVs because it is easy for them to slide under the vehicle rather than jack it up," Trumbull police said. "Sometimes thieves unbolt the catalytic converters, but more often they just cut the connecting pipes using a hand-held power saw which is faster, but creates more noise."

Anyone with any information regarding this or other recent catalytic converter thefts is urged to contact the Trumbull Police Department at 203-261-3665.

Below are tips from Trumbull police to help avoid being a victim of a catalytic converter theft:

To decrease your chances of becoming a victim of catalytic converter theft always park in well-lit areas, close to a building entrance, or to the nearest access road when parking in a public lot whenever possible. If you have a security system on your car, calibrate it so vibration sets off the alarm. Video surveillance around your vehicle is also useful.

Motion-sensitive lights and parking in your driveway or a closed garage whenever possible is also effective. Knowing and working together with your neighbors will help in recognizing strangers who might be casing parked vehicles in your neighborhood.

If you start your vehicle and hear a loud exhaust noise, it is likely that your catalytic converter has been stolen. If this is something you experience, make sure you are in a safe location and have the undercarriage of your vehicle inspected. The catalytic converter is a round canister that connects two pieces of piping in the exhaust. If there is a gaping space in the middle of your exhaust that is also an indication that the converter is missing, and you will likely see signs that the piping had been cut away.

It is always very important to be aware of your surroundings and observant of suspicious people, or activity that may be in the area. Also take notice of people that may be near or in between parked vehicles, and people who may have saws, vehicle jacks, tools, or other out of the ordinary items in their possession.

The Trumbull Police are asking for the public’s help in providing any information about these crimes or the suspects. If you become a victim, file a police report which will help police track such crimes and might assist in arrests. Always remember, if you observe suspicious activity, vehicles, or persons, especially during the late night hours, call the police right away.