Politics & Government

SEPTA, Local Police Discuss Catalytic Converter Thefts

Since spring, regional rail commuters have reported stolen catalytic converters.

Since the spring, some commuters parking in SEPTA regional rail lots have noticed an important and lucrative car part missing after returning from work: catalytic converters.

The large, low-hanging emissions converter is rich in precious metals and has served as a target for thieves at Montgomery, Delaware and Chester County train stations, according to SEPTA, thus causing the transit authority to increase patrols with local police.

"We first noticed it in the spring ... At SEPTA transit lots, people most likely park in the morning and do not get back until evening and that's attractive," transit spokesperson Andrew Busch said. "For vehicles that sit higher, unfortunately it's fairly easy to do. I don't want to give a how-to guide, but if you have a hacksaw and you know what you're doing, it doesn't take much."

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Routine police blotter scans demonstrate periodic converter thefts in , and Lower Merion ( and ). 

Lower Merion Police have reported 11 catalytic converter thefts since April, according to Captain Bill Boegly.

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"Everyone is following up on leads on this, and we’re hoping it will lead to an arrest, but right now we haven’t arrested anyone for any of these thefts," Boegly said.

The converters, which contain platinum and other valuable metals, are removed from vehicles by thieves who cut a pipe on either side of the converter using a battery-operated saw, Boegly said.

In Tredyffrin, Police Chief Andy Chambers says locking your vehicle is always important but it doesn't stop these thieves because the catalytic converter is underneath a vehicle, and "we think what they do is slide under a car with a cordless Sawzall or reciprocating saw with a metal blade on it and cut the catalytic converter right out of the exhaust system."

Though Busch said region-wide thefts have declined since the summer started, SEPTA has increased communication and cooperation with local police. Patrols—from both local and transit police—in areas with thefts have been upped. 

"Our strategy is to coordinate with local police departments in towns and counties to step up visible patrols," he said, adding areas with more vehicles are a higher priority. "A visible deterrent is the best way to attack it."

However, with 260 officers patrolling about 170 regional rail stations—in addition to the subway and transit stops—SEPTA is limited in its scope.

Both local police and SEPTA have asked residents to report any unusual behavior.

"Our (customers) know their stations better than anybody. Suspicious activity sticks out. If they go back to their car and see something suspicious, they shouldn't intervene, but should call 911," Busch said.

What else can commuters do? Boegly said there are products available that make it more difficult for a catalytic converter to be removed from your vehicle. A quick Google search brings up the CatClamp, Catlock and other devices.

And, in case you were wondering, SEPTA is not liable for items stolen from your vehicle, whether inside or out, according to Busch.


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