Catalytic Converter Thieves From RI Arrested After Route 9 Chase

WESTBOROUGH, MA — Three men from Rhode Island were arrested for stealing catalytic converters early Monday after a brief chase along Route 9 in Westborough, according to police.

Near 2 a.m. Monday, police from Northborough and Westborough were called to the Arrive Apartments along Route 9 for a report of suspicious activity. When police arrived, they saw a car speed away from the Arrive parking lot headed east along Route 9.

Police followed the car, and it ended up crashing nearby at the intersection of Route 9 and Route 135. Inside the wrecked car, police found several catalytic converters, plus tools typically used to remove the pricey car parts.

Police arrested an 18-year-old and a 19-year-old from Providence and a 21-year-old from Coventry on charges including destruction of property valued at over $1,200, possession of burglary tools, three counts of receiving stolen property and larceny over $1,200. The 21-year-old was also charged with driving without a license and driving an unregistered vehicle.

Catalytic converter thefts have been on the rise in recent years locally and across the U.S. The converters are full of pricey metals like copper and palladium, and can be resold for hundreds or thousands of dollars. Thieves will typically use a saw to cut the converter out of the exhaust system in a matter of minutes.