MONROE - The theft of catalytic converters off the vans of a Monroe business over the weekend isn't an isolated case.
Lanz Furnace and Fireplace, 305 2nd St., discovered Monday morning, April 30, that catalytic converters had been stolen off four of the company's work vans.
The culprits didn't target the fifth and only remaining van, said co-owner Carissa Kammerer.
"Thankfully, we had one van to be able to run what service we could. It cut into our workday," she said.
The thefts are also a financial hit to Lanz. Replacement costs will total about $5,000.
Another catalytic converter theft was reported to Monroe Police just last week, from a vehicle parked in the 1800 block of 11th Avenue.
Thieves are increasingly on the prowl for catalytic converters to resell to salvage yards for their metal components, worth about $100, according Police Chief Fred Kelley. He said removing a catalytic converter, which is located under the frontend of a vehicle, takes about 10 minutes in the hands of a skilled thief with a battery-powered saw.
"This has become a regional problem," he said. Police alert area salvage yards, but thieves sometimes travel far to resell the car part.
Vehicles that sit a little higher off the ground - vans, trucks, SUVs - are at a greater risk, especially if they're parked in a lot and in an isolated area.
If a catalytic converter has been cut off a vehicle, the driver will know immediately.
"It's going to make some noise. It'll sound like your muffler's gone," Kelley said.
Kammerer said Lanz is installing security cameras and more outdoor lighting to protect itself.
"This isn't the first time we've been picked on. We had copper stolen last summer," she said.
Lanz Furnace and Fireplace, 305 2nd St., discovered Monday morning, April 30, that catalytic converters had been stolen off four of the company's work vans.
The culprits didn't target the fifth and only remaining van, said co-owner Carissa Kammerer.
"Thankfully, we had one van to be able to run what service we could. It cut into our workday," she said.
The thefts are also a financial hit to Lanz. Replacement costs will total about $5,000.
Another catalytic converter theft was reported to Monroe Police just last week, from a vehicle parked in the 1800 block of 11th Avenue.
Thieves are increasingly on the prowl for catalytic converters to resell to salvage yards for their metal components, worth about $100, according Police Chief Fred Kelley. He said removing a catalytic converter, which is located under the frontend of a vehicle, takes about 10 minutes in the hands of a skilled thief with a battery-powered saw.
"This has become a regional problem," he said. Police alert area salvage yards, but thieves sometimes travel far to resell the car part.
Vehicles that sit a little higher off the ground - vans, trucks, SUVs - are at a greater risk, especially if they're parked in a lot and in an isolated area.
If a catalytic converter has been cut off a vehicle, the driver will know immediately.
"It's going to make some noise. It'll sound like your muffler's gone," Kelley said.
Kammerer said Lanz is installing security cameras and more outdoor lighting to protect itself.
"This isn't the first time we've been picked on. We had copper stolen last summer," she said.