A technician points to a weak cutting point that thieves can exploit to quickly steal a catalytic converter. | police.unm.edu
A technician points to a weak cutting point that thieves can exploit to quickly steal a catalytic converter. | police.unm.edu
The Sandy Springs Police Department recently announced that it has partnered with three local businesses to reduce local catalytic converter thefts.
According to Fox 5 Atlanta, under this initiative, Sandy Springs residents now have the option of making an appointment at a True Automotive or Pep Boys on Roswell Road, where workers will engrave their catalytic converters with the last five digits of their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) as well as the initials of the Sandy Springs Police Department (SSPD).
Police are hoping marking the parts will help deter thieves from viewing the convertors as an easy target, and for those who still carry out the crimes they argue the changes will make it easier to track the down the culprits and hold them accountable.
Sergeant of Sandy Springs Police Department Matthew McGinnis said that as of Nov. 2, local authorities had responded to 54 confirmed catalytic converter so far this year.
"People lose thousands of dollars when their catalytic converter gets stolen off their car because the cost to repair it is anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000," McGinnis said, according to Fox 5. "So, we're trying to combat that and deter the theft on the front end."
Authorities say criminals frequently steal the expensive car parts for precious metals like platinum, which can easily be sold for scrap.
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