4/4/13 - Local authorities are seeking the publicâs help in tracking down the parties responsible for a string of thefts targeting catalytic converters. Over the last several months, the Livingston County Sheriffâs Department, the Michigan State Police, and local police departments in Howell, Brighton, and Hartland have gotten reports of stolen converters. Sheriff Bob Bezotte says more than a dozen vehicles have been hit, and they believe the crimes are related. A surveillance photo has been released of a gold-colored, four-door Chrysler Cirrus with a model year between 1996 and 2000. Bezotte says they believe the vehicle is related to the thefts, and anyone with information about it or any other aspect of the case is being sought. Catalytic converters can contain precious metals including platinum, gold, and rhodium, and are prime targets for thieves who sell them for scrap at $60 to $90 apiece. Bezotte says the current string of thefts has targeted large vehicles like commercial trucks which are high off the ground, providing easy access to their catalytic converters. He says the thieves are using a wrap-around saw to remove the devices. Anyone who finds that a theft has taken place, suspects a theft might be in progress, or knows anything about the crimes or the vehicle is asked to contact Detective Curt Novara at (517) 540-7952 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP. (TD)
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