Thieves Steal 2 Catalytic Converters From U-Haul Vans

FRAMINGHAM – Framingham Police are investigating the theft of two catalytic converters from vans at the U-Haul storage Facility in Framingham.

The theft was reported on Sunday, August 14, at 1:52 p.m.

“The catalytic convertor was cut from two vans,” said Framingham Police spokesperson Lt. Rachel Mickens.

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Framingham Police have no suspects at this time. 

There has been an increase in catalytic converter thefts in Framingham this year, but the City is not alone.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau has the a 325% increase in thefts from 2019 to 2020.

A catalytic converter is a tool installed on every car, be it diesel or gasoline. The converter is a catalyst located in the exhaust channel that works to filter hydrocarbons and other pollutants as waste products of engine combustion.

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The converter auto part contains platinum, palladium or rhodium.

On the black market, those metals can mean $100 to $250 for every converter stolen.

But for the owners of the vehicles, the replacement can be even more expensive.

Parts & labor can be $1,000 to more than $2,000 to replace and install a new converter.

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