It seems as if a recent string of catalytic converter thefts in the area has subsided for the moment.
According to a media release from the Athens Police, three instances of theft occurred recently, one at 121 Columbus rd., one at the Premier Video at 284 East State St., and another at the private parking lot on 0 Elliot St.
Police Chief Tom Pyle said in an email that there have been no breaks in the case, yet the thefts appear to have subsided.
The release said the suspect was cutting the catalytic converter off a Honda CRV at a private lot on Elliot St. and described him as a man with a medium build, black jeans, a light blue jeans, a brown ball cap, and left in a dirty light blue 90’s model Buick four door.
In this string of theft, about $1,800 worth of parts had been stolen collectively.
Though a catalytic converter is a cumbersome thing to steal, Steve Reedes, owner of Athens Auto Repair service, said that the converters are easy to steal.
“If someone has a saws-all, they don’t even have to jack it up.” Reedes said, “They can just go under it and ‘zip-zip’ it’s off.”
He explained that a perpetrator can use a cordless saws-all to cut the converter off and cause between $400-$800 worth of damage in less than three minutes.
Reedes said that one would know if a catalytic converter has been stolen off their car if the car is significantly louder than usual and the check engine light is on.
