4 of 5 Centennial School Buses Back After Catalytic Converter Thefts

WARMINSTER TOWNSHIP, PA —Four of the five Centennial School District buses that had their catalytic converters stolen last week are back on their routes.

School buses were sidelined for 3.5 days, Schools Superintendent Dana Bedden said in his weekly superintendent report and in an update provided during Tuesday's school board meeting.

"I want to thank our team for their quick action. They located parts to get four of the five buses back in service," Bedden said in his weekly message. He also thanked Warminster Patch for spreading the word about the thefts during Tuesday's meeting.

Catalytic converters were stolen off five school buses over the month's first weekend, causing school officials to scramble to get students to and from school.

School Board President Charles Martin said the board met before the meeting for a security briefing.

"I'm impressed with how quickly our transportation team recovered," Martin said. "They should be recognized for doing a great job. This was a serious situation. We have one bus to go."

School officials said they were still seeking parts for the last bus and that anyone who has catalytic converter parts should contact the district.

There have been a string of catalytic converter thefts in the township over the past month. Police Chief James Donnelly said these thieves are becoming harder to catch because they're individuals conducting the crime instead of groups.

No suspects have been arrested for the crime.

Anyone seeing or hearing suspicious activity around any school district property should call 911 or 215-672-1000 (non-emergency dispatch) to have officers respond and check the area, the superintendent said.