Green Bay Reporter

Vehicle owners continue to experience catalytic converter theft due to its quick removal process and high cash return.

Fox 11 Online reported it's the rhodium and the platinum inside them that makes them worth so much.

"They'll take these electrical sawzalls, these cordless sawzalls they'll slide under your vehicle quick, they'll cut it off and they'll be gone in under five minutes," B & B Metals Industrial Account Manager Paul Brodtke said, according to Fox 11 Online.

Green Bay Police say the thieves are getting anything from $50 to $1,000 per catalytic converter, according to Fox 11 Online.

"It's pretty quick money," Green Bay Police Professional Standards Capt. Ben Allen said.

Scrapyards are working together with local police departments to catch people stealing catalytic converters, according to Fox 11 Online.

"We take every individual's ID and we scan it into the system," Brodtke said, according to Fox 11 Online. "And then if there's any suspicious activity, we'll contact the local authorities and we'll give them all the information and let them do the investigative work to see if it's something that's actually stolen or if it was a legit sale."

The Village of Ashwaubenon is seeing theft happening all over, according to Fox 11 Online.

"Where there are multiple business vehicles parked, which is really easy picking for these people that are doing this," Allen said.

Police tell Fox 11 Online that parking a vehicle in a garage can prevent catalytic converter theft.

"There's really no rhyme or reason as far as locations," Ashwaubenon Public Safety Deputy Chief Nick Kozloski said, per Fox 11 Online. "We've seen residential, we've seen commercial, industrial, pretty much all have been hit. In instances where a garage isn't available, if you can park in a well-lit area, secured parking lot, maybe there's a fence around it, things like that."