Car Burglaries, Catalytic Converter Thefts Surge In Wheaton

WHEATON, IL — Since mid-October, the Wheaton Police Department has seen a surge in vehicle burglaries and catalytic converter thefts, recent crime blotters show. Since Oct. 13, Wheaton seven cars have been burglarized —many by having their windows smashed— and five catalytic converters have been stolen throughout the city.

Catalytic Converter Stolen in 1000 block of Community Drive

A catalytic converter was stolen from a Honda Pilot that was parked in a lot at the above address sometime between 9:40 p.m. on Oct. 13 and 4 a.m. on Oct. 14.

Car Burglarized in 1000 block of East Jefferson Avenue

Police say a wallet was stolen from a car that had been left unlocked. The incident took place sometime between 9 p.m. on Oct. 18 and 4 a.m. on Oct. 19.

Catalytic Converter Stolen at TJ Auto Repair

A catalytic converter was stolen from a Jeep Cherokee while it was parked at TJ Auto Repair, 601 S. Carlton Ave. The theft took place sometime between 7 p.m. on Oct. 19 and 8 a.m. on Oct. 20.

2 Catalytic Converters Stolen in 1000 block of South Lorraine Road

Police say a catalytic converter was cut from a Honda CR-V that was parked in a lot at the above address sometime between 9 p.m. on Oct. 20 and 8 a.m. on Oct. 21.

Another catalytic converter was stolen from a Honda Accord in the same parking lot between 4 p.m. Oct. 20 and 6 p.m. Oct. 21.

Catalytic Converter Stolen in 1200 block of South Lorraine Road

Wheaton police are investigating a catalytic converter theft that took place in the 1200 block of South Lorraine Road. The part was stolen from an Acura sometime between 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 20 and 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 21.

Car Burglarized at Studio Movie Grill

Someone smashed the passenger side window of a car and stole a laptop, two watches and a passport. The burglary took place while the car was parked at Studio Movie Grill, 301 Rice Lake Sq. sometime between 7:45 p.m. and 9:50 p.m. on Oct. 22.

Car Burglarized in 1900 block of Somerset Lane

An unlocked car was burglarized in a driveway the above address sometime between 12:30 a.m. and 6:50 a.m. on Oct. 25.

Car Burglarized in 600 block of Elmwood Drive

Police say a necklace and two watches were stolen from the center console of a car while it was parked on the street between 12 a.m. and 7:20 a.m. on Oct. 25.

Catalytic Converter Stolen in 1000 block of Lorraine Road

A catalytic converter was cut from a Honda Accord that was parked in a lot in the 1000 block of Lorraine Road. The incident took place sometime between 7 p.m. on Oct. 20 and 12 p.m. on Oct. 21.

2 Cars Burglarized at Fox Bowl

According to police two drivers reported that their rear windows were smashed and items were stolen from their cars while they were at Fox Bowl, 1101 E. Butterfield Rd., on the evening of Oct. 26. In both incidents, a backpack was stolen. Police say one of the backpacks contained a laptop.

Catalytic Converter Stolen in 2100 block of West Roosevelt Road

The catalytic converter was cut from a Honda CRV that was parked in a lot at the above address. The part was stolen between 7 p.m. on Oct. 27 and 12 p.m. on Oct. 28, the police blotter said.

Car Burglarized in 1900 block of Lancaster Lane

Someone smashed the back window of a car and stole a wallet from the center console. The incident happened between 11 a.m. on Oct. 29 and 11 a.m. on Oct. 30.

Anyone who has information about the above incidents is urged to contact the Wheaton Police Department at 630-260-2161.