Wilder Police Chief Chad Martin warned local residents of catalytic converter thefts around the holiday season during a city council meeting earlier this month.
“We’re getting it all around us,” Martin said. “Officers have been sitting up in the parking lots, trying to just watch all night long.”
The thefts, Chief Martin went on to say, are not always easy to spot, so he encouraged residents to call and report any suspected thefts as they occur.
“Don’t call us the next day,” he said.
As of Dec. 6, there four catalytic converter thefts in Wilder over the previous 10 ten days, according to the police department. Southgate PD and Fort Thomas PD also confirmed their own spates of recent converter thefts. There are currently no suspects. Highland Heights PD and Cold Spring PD could not be reached for comment.
Catalytic converters are attractive to thieves because they contain a variety of precious metals, including titanium, palladium and platinum, which can fetch high prices from the right buyer.
Ohio has also seen it’s share of thefts—Groveport Police Department busted a ring of converter thieves near Columbus, Ohio, in September, as reported by The Columbus Dispatch. The network had stolen about $19 million worth of catalytic converters.
Other sources from within Wilder Police Department expressed concern that perhaps the converters were being sold at local recycling centers and scrapyards. However, state law prevents businesses from buying catalytic converters without following mandated protocols. This includes verification of ID documents and car titles. The law also requires payment by mailed check, which would hypothetically deter potential thieves as the check would leave a paper trail.
Some businesses have also instituted policies such as a cap on how much they’ll pay for a converter in an effort to prevent thieves from selling at their centers. Several businesses who spoke with LINK nky, including River Metals Recycling in Newport and the Walton branch of Cohen Recycling, stated they were in compliance with the law.
Lieutenant Adam Noe of the Ft. Thomas police department speculated that the converters may be getting fenced out of state. There’s also the possibility that the parts could be sold on the black market, but it’s impossible to know without any suspects or leads.
Wilder residents are encouraged to contact the Wilder Police Department central dispatch at (859)292-3622 anytime, night or day to report any catalytic converter thefts.