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ST. GEORGE — The number of catalytic converter thefts has surged over the past year, as these devices full of precious metals are hot targets for thieves and can take only minutes to remove — but are costly to replace.
After receiving a number of reports involving the theft of catalytic converters, the Mesquite Police Department issued an advisory that was posted on the department's Facebook page last weekend.
A catalytic converter is an important part of a vehicle's exhaust system and is a device that is full of precious metals, such as platinum and palladium. To replace these converters is very costly, the advisory states, and larger trucks, vans and busses are the vehicles most targeted by thieves.
Mesquite Police Sgt. Wyatt Oliver told St. George News it was when the nationwide problem hit close to home – with five thefts reported within the last month or so, that the department decided to issue the advisory – along with safety tips to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of such a theft.
As it turns out, Washington County is not immune to this type of criminal activity either, gauging from the number of thefts reported recently throughout the region.
The St. George Police Department has had a "rash" of reports involving the theft of catalytic converters, department spokesperson Officer Tiffany Atkin told St. George News.
The complete list of safety tips can be accessed by clicking here.
Read the full article at St. George News.
