Police have arrested a man for stealing 14 catalytic converters in Albemarle County, VA. The suspect used an electric Sawzall, which was connected to a generator in the bed of his truck. Police reported that the converters were sold out of the area for between $60 and $80 each. The thefts caused an estimated $23,988 in damages.
Below is the article as it appeared on the Culpeper Star-Exponent website.
Police: Man used electric saw to steal car parts
Media General News Service
Published: June 22, 2010
Albemarle County police have arrested a man in relation to the theft of more than a dozen catalytic converters.
The thief struck mostly in parking lots and used a Sawzall connected to a generator in the bed of his pickup, Lt. Shawn Schwertfeger said.
No one ever stopped to question what was happening, Schwertfeger said.
Victims reported 14 catalytic converters stolen between March 30 and May 7, and most were taken between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekends, according to police.
Toyota SUVs and pickups were a favorite target, because their catalytic converters are easily accessible, Schwertfeger said.
To read the entire article, visit the Culpeper Star-Exponent website at http://www2.starexponent.com/cse/news/local/article/police_man_used_electric_saw_to_steal_car_parts/59561/.
