Catalytic Converter Crime Wave Hits Oak Lawn

OAK LAWN, IL — Oak Lawn police are alerting residents to another crime wave of catalytic converter thefts. Eight catalytic converters were swiped during the overnight hours of March 9 and March 10. The vehicles targeted appear to be Honda CRVs and Mitsubishi Outlanders.

Residents are asked to check their home security video. The thefts occurred south of 95th Street and east of Cicero Avenue, at the following times and locations:

• Honda CRV, 9700 block of South Karlov Avenue, 6 p.m. to 8 a.m., March 9 to March 10
• Mitsubishi Outlander, 9700 block of South Karlov Avenue, 4 p.m. to 9:30 a.m., March 9-March 10
• Honda CRV, 10900 block of South Tripp Avenue, 10900 S. Tripp Avenue, 1:30 p.m. to 9:20 a.m., March 9 to March 10
• Mitsubishi Outlander, 4000 block of West Dean Drive, midnight to 3 a.m., March 10
• Honda CRV, 10900 block of South Tripp Avenue, 2:15 a.m., March 10
• Honda CRV, 10700 block of South Tripp Avenue, 8 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., March 9 to March 10
• Honda CRV, 9700 block of South Kostner Avenue, unknown time, March 10 to March 14
• Honda CRV, 10200 block of South Tripp Avenue, 2:30 to 3 a.m., March 10

Thieves steal catalytic converters because they contain precious metals, such as platinum and rhodium. A catalytic converter can be sold on the black market for a few hundred dollars, but often costs up to $1,000 for victims to replace. A would-be thief can steal a catalytic converter from the underbelly of a car within 5-to-10 minutes.

The evening of March 9, police were handling a shooting allegedly involving teens in the 9500 block of South Campbell.

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Anyone with information about the thefts or if your home security caught something, please contact Oak Lawn police at 708-422-8292. Surveillance video can be forwarded to the OLPD tip line at 708-613-8477.

Earlier:

8 Catalytic Converters Stolen In 1 Night