Troy police: 14 catalytic converters stolen in recent days

Troy police are investigating the recent reported thefts of 14 catalytic converters from vehicles at 10 locations in the city.

The converters were discovered missing between Oct. 21 and Oct. 30. In one case, reported at NBS Commercial Interiors, 2595 Bellingham, catalytic converters were stolen from three Ford box trucks. Two other reports also involved two vehicles each — at Resilire Neuro Rehabilitation, 600 Stephenson Highway, where catalytic converters were reported stolen from two 2011 Ford Econoline vans, and in the 2100 block of Golfview Drive where they were reported stolen from two 2012 Jeep Liberty vehicles.

The other thefts were reported at:

• 1000 block of Brooklawn Street

• 1600 block of Kirts Boulevard

• 400 block of Kirts Boulevard

• 3000 block of Glouchester Drive

• Everlast Floors, 600 W. Maple

• 2200 block of Dorchester Road

• 1900 block of Somerset Boulevard

“I believe it is very likely that several of these thefts were done by the same individuals,” said Capt. Josh Jones of the Troy Police Department’s operations division. “In the past, we have seen those involved with catalytic converter theft travel throughout the metro Detroit area hitting multiple locations in a short time.

“Suspects typically use battery powered reciprocating saws and are able to complete a theft in less than a minute. We encourage anyone who notices suspicious activity, such as individuals crawling under vehicles in public parking lots, to take note of a description (person and any associated vehicles) and call the police.”

Catalytic converters attract thieves for the sought-after platinum group metals they contain, including the extremely rare rhodium, priced at $11,000 an ounce, compared to gold’s price of $1,795 an ounce as of Nov. 2, according to moneymetals.com.