When Curtis Nagel walked out the door of his south Arlington home Thursday morning, he thought he’d be heading to work so he could make money. Instead, he discovered he’d be shelling out money to replace the catalytic converter two thieves stole from under his truck.
“You know, you just can’t have nice things anymore,” said Nagel. “We work every day. We pay for things. They don’t.”
A surveillance camera on Nagel’s front porch was recording as the crime unfolded.
It shows a vehicle drive by his house at around 4:15 that morning, then stop. A man wearing a hoodie gets out, walks to the passenger side of the truck, and bends down to look under it. After a few seconds, he gets back up and leaves.
A few minutes later, that same vehicle returns and a different man gets out.
“And he came out and spent the next ten minutes unbolting [the catalytic converter], removing it and leaving,” said Nagel.
Nagel said he was shocked by how brazen the thieves were, considering it was raining that morning and they were prowling at a time when many people start to wake up.
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“They were determined,” said Nagel. “Obviously they’re taking it and using it for scrap or what not.”
Catalytic converters contain precious metals that can be valuable. According to Nationwide Insurance, thieves can collect anywhere from $100 - $200 per converter.
Nagel spent $1,500 to replace the one on his truck. He hopes by sharing his story, others can avoid his fate.
“[My truck] was out in the open,” said Nagel. “It gave thieves an opportunity to come take what they didn’t deserve. So I just urge everybody to lock up [their cars and trucks] in a garage or a secure area.”
Nationwide Insurance says thieves tend to target SUVs and trucks because they’re higher off the ground and easier to get under.
Arlington Police say these types of crimes tend to happen in waves. Detectives are currently investigating this case and others.
