Maplewood Police Officer Jason Schuster on Thursday sent an email to block captains, asking them to tell their neighbors about a recent increase in reported thefts from vehicles (catalytic convertors and break-ins) and property damage/graffiti.
Schuster passed on information on catalytic convertor thefts that will be featured in the upcoming Fall/Winter Maplewood Newsletter:
The St. Louis Metropolitan area has seen a rise in the theft of catalytic converters from vehicles to include the City of Maplewood. There have been approximately thirty (30) catalytic converter thefts in the City of Maplewood during this calendar year.
The main reason is the value of the metals in the manufacturing of catalytic converters. Catalytic converters contain precious metals including rhodium, platinum, and palladium. All cars made after 1974 are required to have catalytic converters. Recyclers will pay between $50 and $250 for a catalytic converter, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). The rate of catalytic converter theft varies depending on the current prices of the metals. Price increases typically result in an increase in thefts.
The metals can be sold for even more if lifted from hybrid gas-electric cars. Hybrids, such as a Toyota Prius, are most often targeted because their catalytic converters contain the largest amount of those expensive metals. Full-size SUV’s and pickup trucks are also frequent targets. Thieves can remove a catalytic converter quickly, often in less than two minutes, so a theft of this type can even occur in broad daylight. The only tools a thief needs is a wrench or a reciprocating saw.
The cost to replace a catalytic converter reflects the value of its components. The approximate replacement cost ranges from $2,000 – $2,500, including labor.
All-electric vehicles (EVs) are safe from thieves because they produce no emissions and do not need a catalytic converter.
There is anti-theft protection, such as a cable-locking device or a steel shield that runs along with the exhaust system on the bottom of a car. Other deterrents include parking inside the garage at night, or making sure a home’s outside lights are on and bright. You can also turn up the sensitivity on your car alarm so that if an individual tampers with your vehicle the alarm will activate. Additionally, another option is inscribing the car’s vehicle identification number (VIN) on the converter so it is traceable.
Schuster said car break-ins, usually from unlocked vehicles, are also common. It usually occurs late evening through early morning. A thief or group of thieves will check door handles of parked cars (street or driveway) and steal whatever they can from unlocked vehicles. If a vehicle is locked thieves will normally move onto the next potential target. He said they rarely see broken windows or pried door handles unless a purse, backpack, laptop bag, or other valuable contents are left inside a vehicle in plain view. The best way to deter vehicle break-ins is to make sure your car doors are locked and no property of value is left in your vehicle especially in plain view.
The Maplewood Police Department has also seen an increase in reports of graffiti on city property at Kellogg Park, Greenwood Park and the Maplewood Skate Park. Graffiti has also been found on private property in an alleyway off of Bredell Avenue. The graffiti/property damage found at Kellogg Park and the Maplewood Skate Park appear to have been done by the same person. The graffiti/property damage at Greenwood Park and in the alleyway appear to be done by a different person(s). Attached are some photographs of the graffiti discovered.
I have to wonder where the thieves get rid of their catalytic converters. I thought you needed identification as in I am a mechanic or repair shop to sell them. I doubt that a person is stealing one in Maplewood and driving to Chicago or somewhere to sell them. Someone is selling them and someone is buying them. Seems like there should be some way to stop this. I use a sawsall in my work and I cannot understand how you can cut them off and someone not hear the noise it makes.
Portable surveillance cameras are now dirt cheap and easy as heck to put up.
My suggestion for Maplewood property owners- by a few of those suckers on Amazon (you’ll be amazed how cheap they are), and put them on the side of your house where it will videotape your driveway or wherever your car is parked overnight.
Then sleep peacefully at night.
Some graffiti is beautifully done. Too bad it’s on disallowed/someone else’s property.
Good information. On a happier note, the Boardwalk Waffles and Ice Cream event to celebrate National Night Pit Against Crime was very well received at the MRH parking lot. The highlight, besides the ice cream, was the viewing of Maplewood’s beautiful new fire truck!
I would love to see some kind of community-wide push for people to get security lights snd cameras around their homes and garages. Perhaps the city of Maplewood could make a bulk purchase at a reduced price and pass the savings on to its citizens. I believe the neighborhood association on The Hill did something like this and could provide some information.
Sad graffiti. However, such “artists”love having their work published. ?