Earlier this week a video posted to a Facebook page of a man removing a catalytic converter from a vehicle on Wood Street in Bristol Borough led to frustration on the part of residents, and a response from the new Chief of Police.
The incident captured by video surveillance depicts a person sliding under the vehicle on April 9 just before midnight on the 900 block.
It took the unidentified suspect no more than one minute to hack of the precious metal based emissions regulator from the vehicle the video shows.
During a 16-day period in March, police reported responding to six catalytic converter thefts throughout through area.
Two such incidents victimized Calvary Baptist Church’s transport van twice last year. The van is used for various community based activities the Church is involved in.
The thefts and subsequent damage to vehicles is not endemic to the borough specifically, it’s nationwide.
Fox 29 published a report Wednesday in which Philadelphia authorities say for all of 2021 there were 3400 thefts and so far in the first third of 2022 there were more than 1300 reported.
The report also detailed costs and wait time for victims to have their vehicles repaired.
Chief of Police Joe Moors said Tuesday the police department has a plan in place on how to combat the recent spat of converter thefts.
“First off, I want the community to know the police department is aware of the video that was circulated in recent days. There is an ongoing investigation but I can’t get into too many specifics” he said.
Moors said a special detail was created recently to combat would be catalytic converter thieves, however, he would not specify what the detail involves.
On follow up he said “If the police department made public its strategy it would defeat the purpose of the detail.”
Moors did want to get a message across to the community though.
“If you see something suspicious, do not hesitate to call the police immediately at 215 788-7811”
If you recognize the individual pictured, or have information about any catalytic converter thefts, Moors said you can submit a confidential tip through the Police Department’s Crime Watch page also.
