There's a crime alert out of Rock wall tonight where police said a decade-old crime is making a comeback. Rock wall police have had several reports of catalytic converters getting stolen off of trucks.
Rock wall police say six converters have been snatched from Toyota Ta comas and Nissan Frontiers in the last two weeks. A converter is a valuable part that helps keep the air clean.
"The thieves, they're looking for the platinum on the catalytic converter, the converter itself is worth about $500 dollars but what they're going for is the precious metal inside; the platinum," said Sgt. Jeff Welsh with the Rock wall Police Department.
Investigators are still trying to figure out if one or more people are responsible, but so far the crimes are happening in central Rock wall.
Police say the thieves are targeting neighborhoods either very late at night or very early in the morning. When no one is looking, they slip under the car and start unbolting the converters.
Mechanic Jerry Archer said once one converter is removed, it effects the whole emissions system.
"When they cut one of them off, you have to replace the whole unit, all four is what Toyota is recommending, $2,000 or $3,000 is what the last person told me that he paid at the dealership for them."
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"You don't realize how much you need your vehicle until you don't have it," said theft victim Blair Jennings. "I was livid, extremely frustrated I wanted to go punch something or someone."
Jennings hasn't had a car for weeks, after her catalytic converter was stolen from her Toyota truck. The repair put a $1,500 dent in her pocket.
"My biggest fear is that I'm going to shell out the money to get it replaced and it's going to get stolen again," said Jennings.
Police warn residents to stay vigilant and even recommend getting an alarm. If you see something suspicious, call the Rock wall Police at (972) 771-7717 or report it to their Facebook page.
