(source: Clark Co. Sheriff's Office)CLARKSVILLE, IN (WAVE)- The next time you go to your vehicle, look underneath for your catalytic converter. Police said late last year across southern Indiana, for a couple months, thieves were stealing them for their precious metal content.
"It's costing the victims thousands of dollars to replace these converters," said Clarksville Police Department Captain Darrell Rayborn. "The people who are stealing them are getting anywhere between $80 and maybe $100 for them."
According to authorities, William Colwell and James Cochran are two suspects behind bars charged with theft of catalytic converters.
"So, yes, there's been an increase in all types of these metal thefts over the past couple of years," Clark County Chief Deputy Prosecutor, Jeremy Mull said.
According to Mull, one of the men sold 27 converters to a recycle facility as early as June 2011. The converters were worth nearly $2,000. Thieves snatched converters from Sellersburg, New Albany, and Clarksville. One of those incidents happened at the Bass Pro Shop parking lot, according to Mull.
That was where WAVE 3 found Tom, a resident of Las Vegas, Nevada. His truck has 2 converters.
"Not much you can do about it," Tom said. "Like I said, park it where you can try to keep it out where people can not take it. But, if somebody wants something, they're going to get it."
According to police, the thieves were targeting SUVs and pick-up trucks. Rayborn said there are things you can do to protect your vehicle.
"At night, park in well lit areas. Try to park in a high traffic area, I would think," Rayborn said.
You can also check with your mechanic about parts to install that can slow the thieves down. Mull said metal theft is a class D felony in Indiana, which is the lowest offense. He said he would like to see the penalty imposed on those thieves increased because of the hardship the thefts pose to people.
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