Thieves Stooping to New Lows Underneath Cars

(Quincy, Ill)—Thieves in the Quincy area are stooping to new lows for monetary gain.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office and Quincy Police report several cases of catalytic converters stolen from underneath motor vehicles.

The converters are a part of the exhaust system used to control tailpipe emissions.  Catalytic converters utilize precious metals such as platinum in their construction, making them a desirable target for thieves.

Prices for used converters vary according to design with some bringing as much as $100 or more. Missouri recently passed a law placing stricter reporting requirements on scrap metal dealers who accept the converters.

Authorities urge the public to report any suspicious activities occurring around unoccupied vehicles.