Catalytic converters stolen from four cars Thursday morning

University police are investigating the thefts of catalytic converters from at least four vehicles in three different parking lots early Thursday morning.

The converters, which are used to reduce the toxicity of engine emissions, were removed from multiple vehicles in Lot 1D, Lot 19 and Lot Z. University Police Capt. John Brandt said the four vehicles were Toyotas and were either pick-up trucks or SUVs. Brandt said he is unsure of the exact time the thefts occurred and doesn't know how many suspects were involved.

It is believed the suspects crawled underneath the vehicles and used electric power tools to remove the catalytic converters, according to a crime alert sent out Friday. The process doesn't take long, Brandt said, encouraging anyone who hears power tools being used in the parking lots to contact police.

While areas near the campus have had converters stolen, the problem hasn't cropped up on the campus until now, according to the crime alert. Brandt said any place that has a large parking lot, like a Metro station, has experienced thefts of converters recently.

"They're recyclable and made of valuable metal, so they are scrapable," Brandt said. "There is a market for them right now."

He said the retail value for catalytic converters is about $900.

Because catalytic converters are on the outside of vehicles, there is little that can be done to prevent them from being stolen.

Brandt advised people to park in well-lit areas and areas that are more likely to be walked by.

"There's not a lot of prevention you can do other than where you leave it and how long you leave it," he said.

Students should also be aware that any expensive items left in plain sight make their cars more attractive targets for thefts in general, according to the crime alert. Students should hide or remove any loose items in their vehicles.

Junior aerospace engineering major Louis Wu said he does not have a car on the campus this semester, but plans on getting one next semester. He said the thefts of the converters will not weigh into his decision to bring a car.

"There's so many cars on the campus, it seems like there's a pretty small chance [of having your converter stolen]," Wu said.

English major Katlin Meissinger said the thefts surprise her.

"I'm a freshman, so I've only been here a few weeks, and it doesn't seem like there's a lot of crime on the campus," Meissinger said. "It seems really safe."

estelle@umdbk.com