Police Release Images Of Possible Catalytic Converter Thief
BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4) - Boulder police have a possible break in the search for a thief stealing catalytic converters.
On Monday police released two pictures showing a man they consider a possible suspect.
In recent weeks, someone has been stripping the converters off the underside of SUVs and pickup trucks. The devices are sold to scrap metal dealers who pull precious metals from them.
A catalytic converter is an emissions control device for a vehicle's exhaust. The inside is filled with platinum, palladium and rhodium. The converter can be scrapped anywhere from $50 to $195, depending on the car type.
Boulder Muffler has replaced converters on several vehicles recently.
"The minute you start it, you're going to know something is wrong," owner Jeff Sterling said about vehicles who have had their converters stolen.
The cost to replace catalytic converters generally costs anywhere from $300 to $800.
Auto repair experts say a cage can be purchased online for converters to try and protect them, but the best advice is to park vehicles in a secure garage.
