Catalytic Converter Thefts On Rise, Warminster Police Warn

WARMINSTER, PA —It's the hot crime right now, not just in the township, but throughout Bucks County.

The Warminster Township Police Department is asking residents to be alert for catalytic converter thefts, which they say "have become very common more recently, especially for certain types of vehicles."

"We are asking everyone to be extra vigilant for this type of activity," police said in issuing the alert, which was part of its recent police blotter report.

The township has been hit with catalytic converter thefts in the past month.

Police are seeking a suspect in the crime that took place last Sunday.

Four catalytic converter thefts took place over a two-week span last month, with the thefts ranging from $1,000 to $4,000, according to the most recent police blotter.

Police said the thefts happen quickly and that suspects can get in and out of an area within minutes. Most times, a saw is used and suspects quickly cut the expensive converters off the vehicle before fleeing the scene.

The stolen converters are generally then sold for the scrap and rare metals that are found inside. The fact they are not removing them to be reused on another vehicle is why they can quickly cut them off and leave the area in a hurry, police said

Anyone seeing suspicious activity around parked vehicles should call 911 or 215-672-1000 (Non-Emergency dispatch) to have officers respond out and check the area.

Please inform the dispatcher if you have any helpful information so that they can alert the responding officers.

Some helpful information would be the description of the suspect(s)/their vehicle, the direction of travel if they have already left the area, the vehicle/location that the theft may have occurred from and any other helpful information, police said.

Please be safe and do not put yourself in harm’s way. The main thing is to get an officer out to check the area as soon as possible if the crime is in progress or suspicious activity has just occurred, the police warning stated.