Thieves Seeking Catalytic Converters, East Goshen Police Warn

EAST GOSHEN TOWNSHIP, PA — Vehicles parked in commercial and residential lots are falling prey day and night to thieves who are after the valuable platinum in their catalytic converters, according to Westtown-East Goshen Regional Police.

Over the past year, law enforcement agencies in the region, including the Westtown-East Goshen Regional Police Department, said this week that they have noticed an uptick in incidents involving catalytic converters being cut and removed from the undercarriage of vehicles, commonly by the use of a battery-powered reciprocating saw, known also by the brand name “Sawzall.”

Various vehicles, including commercial and passenger vehicles, have been targeted for their catalytic converters which are often sold or scrapped because they contain high-value platinum, police explained.

Police said these types of thefts are happening both during the overnight to early morning hours, and most recently during the daylight hours in the commercial and residential parking lots, such as apartment complexes and condominiums.

The problem is not new and not confined to townships in Chester County, Pa. The converters were mandated decades ago to address air quality from vehicle emissions. Allstate, in 2018, warned customers of the danger because of the valuable metals in the converters and offered tips on how to prevent their theft.

A thief might garner hundreds of dollars from metal recyclers for the stolen converters, and it could cost thousands for the victim to replace it, Allstate's website said.

Some states have attempted to pass legislation allowing only commercial sales of scrap metal, in order to disrupt the ready market for stolen converters, Portland's KATU reported in March. South Carolina recently considered a bill addressing the problem.

The Westtown-East Goshen Regional Police are asking for the public's assistance to address the thefts. Residents are asked to call 911 and report any suspicious activity that may appear to be someone damaging or removing parts from parked vehicles.

"We remain dedicated to protecting the vehicles and property of our community members as we always have and hope to stop these vandals and thieves before they victimize you, your family member, friend, or neighbor," said the Westtown-East Goshen Regional Police Department in its news statement.

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