The Denver Police Division is warning residents to watch out after noticing a pattern of armed “lookouts” taking part in catalytic converter thefts.
Police reported Friday that residents have gone out to examine on suspicious noises earlier than noticing their catalytic converters had been being stolen and being confronted by an often-armed confederate.
In keeping with Denver police, roughly 135 incidents of catalytic converter theft with armed lookouts have been reported since Might 2019. Nobody has been injured throughout these incidents, police mentioned in a information launch.
Since January of this yr, greater than 520 catalytic converter thefts have been reported in Denver.
The converters, that are a vital part of a automobile’s exhaust system, are focused for theft because of the treasured metals contained in the half. Stolen catalytic converters are sometimes bought to scrap yards, police mentioned.
As a result of pattern of armed accomplices, DPD is warning residents to keep away from confrontation with suspects, and will as an alternative to 911 and “be a great witness who can share related particulars with responding cops.”
Denver police additionally shared that welding bolted catalytic converters or utilizing an anti-theft cage across the half can scale back the prospect of theft. Police mentioned that parking in well-lit areas, utilizing a automobile alarm system and etching your info onto the half may stop such thefts.
