By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
WYANDOTTE — The theft of catalytic converters, prized for their easily fenced precious metals, experienced a spike recently in Wyandotte.
On Nov. 26, a catalytic converter was reported stolen from a Chevy Impala parked on First Street. The victim said his dog started barking at about 6:50 p.m., and when he looked outside, he saw a black man in his forties and a black woman seated in his car. When he made eye contact with the woman, the two fled the scene in a silver or gray car.
Also on Nov. 26, a catalytic converter was stolen from a Buick Century parked on North Drive. A used reciprocating saw blade and exhaust bracket were found on the nearby roadway.
A third catalytic converter theft was reported Nov. 26 on Kings Highway, where the exhaust component was stolen from a Cadillac DTS. The victim said several of his neighbors experienced similar thefts.
On Dec. 2, a catalytic converter was reported stolen from a 1999 Buick Regal parked on First Street. The victim said the theft may have occurred several days earlier, but they hadn’t driven the vehicle until the day they reported the theft.