Framingham Police: Thieves Steal 8 Catalytic Converters

FRAMINGHAM – Framingham Police are investigating the theft of 8 catalytic converters from a Framingham auto dealership on Friday, September 16.

The catalytic converters were stolen from trucks parked at AutoMax on Route 9 at 1199 Worcester Road, said the police spokesperson.

The thefts were reported on Friday, September 16 between 3 and 4 p.m., according to the Framingham Police log.

Framingham Police have no suspects at this time, said Framingham Police spokesperson Lt. Rachel Mickens.

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

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The National Insurance Crime Bureau reported a 325% increase in thefts from 2019 to 2020, nationwide, and the thefts have continued in 2021, and 2022.

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.

The converter auto part contains platinum, palladium or rhodium.

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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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