3 Men Arrested In Catalytic Converter Theft On Long Island

NEW HYDE PARK, NY — Three men from Pennsylvania were arrested last week after stealing a catalytic converter from the underside of a car in New Hyde Park, authorities said.

It happened during a routine police patrol in Williston Park early Thursday.

According to Nassau County police, detectives were driving through the neighborhood around 4 a.m. when they spotted a black BMW sedan. The vehicle fit the description of one that was used to steal a catalytic converter earlier in the day in New Hyde Park.

Officers said they pulled the three men over and arrested them without incident. They have been identified as 22-year-old Andy De JesusRosario, 26-year-old Alexander Morales, and 22-year-old Andy Concepcion Encarnacion.

The trio has been charged with auto stripping, criminal mischief, possession of burglar tools, and attempted petit larceny, according to police.

What Are Catalytic Converters And Why Are They Being Stolen?

Found on most gas- and diesel-powered vehicles — between the engine and the muffle — a catalytic converter is a device that turns harmful substances in a car's exhaust into harmless compounds. The small metal chamber resembles a muffler and is designed to reduce harmful emissions.

There are several reasons why catalytic converters get stolen. For one, these devices contain precious metals, like platinum and rhodium.

According to CARFAX.com, platinum was recently trading at $944 per ounce, while rhodium was going for nearly $10,000 per troy ounce.

Car thieves also know there is a high demand from auto body shops and motorists looking to save money on replacement parts, CARFAX.com wrote in a blog post on its website. Sometimes, dodgy repair shops will buy stolen parts but charge their clients for a new one at a much higher price.