COMET: Communities of Maspeth & Elmhurst Together
  • About Us
  • Next Meeting
  • Issues
  • Newsletter
  • Useful Links
  • Local News
  • Join/Contact Us

Community alert - catalytic converters stolen

6/15/2017

 
Hi All,
 
Captain Mastronardi, 104th Precinct, said that three Honda CRVs in Maspeth had their catalytic converter stolen. 
 
The description given is three male blacks possibly in a silver Ford SUV.
 
This has been occurring between the hours of 1:00-4:00 am.
 
If you hear something that sounds like a saw, LOOK OUT YOUR WINDOW and call 911 if you see anything suspicious!
 
If this is happening in Maspeth, it can happen anywhere. The thieves are in our general area and we all need to be on the lookout.
 
The Captain also wants to remind everyone to keep their windows and doors locked to prevent a burglary.
 
Roe Daraio, President
COMET Civic Association
www.cometcivic.com

One of our members was nice enough to pass this info about deterring thieves who try to steal your catalytic converter.
 
​Converters contain trace elements of palladium, rhodium and platinum​ which fetch high prices at scrap yards over in the industrial scrap yards by Maspeth/Williamsburg.
 
​Trucks and SUVs are targeted more, since they sit higher off the ground, and the converters are easier to get to. Hondas, specifically, because once you've figured how to remove that particular brand's converter, it can be done more quickly.

As much as it might be unpleasant for some of you to hear this, the people stealing these things usually reside in or near the area of the burglaries - since they can easily observe other residents' schedules, and target certain vehicles that they see repeatedly parked in the same spots.
​ They are often adult teenagers without employment for whom these thefts represent a quick and easy source of cash, especially since residents will simply replace the converters, to be re-burgled, down the line.

You can purchase a clamp (amazon) but that is only a temporary deterrent.

You can also get your converter welded to the under-frame of your vehicle, but that maybe cause inspection issues down the line.


Parking your car in sight of your home, nearby an obvious, visible surveillance camera is also a moderate deterrent.


Put your car in a locked garage is obviously the best preventative.

 
​Perhaps waking up to check your vehicle in the early morning hours might be also be helpful.​

Comments are closed.

    Welcome to COMET's blog!

    Here you will find stories from our latest newsletter as well as interim posts about topics of interest.

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009

    RSS Feed

Photos by Steve Garza