11/15/13 - With a crackdown on the stolen scrap metal trade in the works at the state level, several catalytic converters have been stolen in Green Oak Township this month. On November 7th, between 7am and 4pm, four catalytic converters were stolen from cars parked at the car pool parking lot near the intersection of Lee Road and Fieldcrest Drive. Then, on November 13th, a single catalytic converter was stolen from the car pool lot at the intersection of Silver Lake Road and Fieldcrest sometime between 9am and 4pm. Green Oak Police Deputy Chief Jason Pless says there are no suspects in the thefts at this time, and they believe the intent was to sell the catalytic converters to scrap metal recyclers. Catalytic converters are easily accessed on many vehicles and often contain precious metals like platinum, gold, and rhodium, which make them common targets for thieves who can sell them for scrap at $60-$90 apiece. House Bill 4593, which has passed the Michigan House and has been referred to a committee in the State Senate, would crack down on scrap metal theft by requiring more stringent record-keeping by recyclers and instituting a waiting period for certain kinds of scrap. (TD)
↧