NORTH OLMSTED, Ohio – Catalyst-focused thieves have hit at least nine cars and trucks parked at repair shops near Lorain Road in recent weeks.
Two of the thefts occurred at Advanced Diagnostics Auto Repair.
“You start looking over your shoulder and understand that there are people who are not on your side,” owner Jay Petek said.
After the first case in late December, Petek said it had upgraded its security cameras.
Within a few weeks, it bore fruit. The cameras recorded a clear video of a man and woman working as a team, stealing a catalyst from a van parked waiting for repairs.
The theft took place on a Sunday afternoon when the store closed.
Petek said when mechanics started pulling in the van for repairs, they immediately knew they had been hit again.
“We went to tow the vehicle and there it was, very hard,” Petek said. “You know kind of at that point.”
Catalytic converters are part of cars’ exhaust systems. It can also be valuable to thieves who catch it for quick cash.
“Precious metals are involved,” Petek said. “It’s platinum. They’re worth money based on the metals in the converters.”
According to police reports, thieves have also hit a nearby maintenance facility in the past few weeks where trucks parked and a car dealership.
As the thefts pick up, the price of repairs goes up for Petek, which has covered the cost of replacing the catalysts stolen in its parking lot.
He said replacements can cost between $ 500 and $ 1500.
“We do not want to buy catalysts, I promise you,” Petek said.
He hopes that someone will recognize the couple caught in the camera from his shop and will call the police, and hopes that it will stop the thefts.
“I understand that times are hard,” Petek said, “but if you need work, come see me. I do not have to be stolen. ‘
North Olmsted police said officers were following up on clues to try to identify the thieves.
They said two ways people can protect their cars are to park inside a garage or in a well-lit area near the entrance of a building.