Catalytic Converter Thefts On The Rise In Shaker Heights

SHAKER HEIGHTS, OH — Catalytic converter thefts are surging in Cuyahoga County and in Shaker Heights.

Over the past five months, according to police, there have been at least 28 catalytic converter thefts in Shaker Heights. This week, police released images of a vehicle they believe is connected in some way to the thefts in Shaker Heights.

"Our department believes the person(s) in this vehicle likely has information related to one more of these thefts," police said.

Live in Shaker Heights? Click here to subscribe to our free breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and download our free mobile app on Android or iPhone.

If you spot the vehicle in Shaker Heights or know where the vehicle is, call the non-emergency police line at 216-491-1234. Tipsters can be anonymous, police said.

Catalytic converters control vehicle emissions, converting pollutants into less toxic gasses, AAA said. Thieves target these devices because they usually contain valuable metals, like platinum, palladium or rhodium.

Neighboring Cleveland Heights has also seen an uptick in catalytic converter thefts this year.