Rash of catalytic converter thefts in Aurora - Chicago Tribune

Five of the vehicles were parked in the 1600 block of North Marywood Avenue, two in the 1200 block of Marywood Court, and one vehicle each in the 1700 block of North Marywood. 1100 block of Tollview Avenue and the 1000 block of North Farnsworth Avenue. Total losses have been set at about $4,500. The converters are targeted by thieves because of the value of some of the metals contained in the devices, Aurora police said. All of the thefts have apparently occurred in the overnight hours with several of the vehicles parked in apartment complex parking lots, police said. The targeted vehicles were all 1999 to 2004 model years and included two Chevrolet Cavaliers, a Venture and a Malibu. The only suspect information police have is that of two men who were interrupted trying to saw a catalytic converter off of a vehicle in an apartment complex parking lot at around 11:50 Tuesday night in the 1000 block of North Farnsworth. Witnesses told police they saw the suspects drive up in a gray Dodge Charger and park next to a Chevrolet Venture. When the witnesses heard what sounded like a saw, they went to investigate, which apparently scared the suspects as the man re-entered the Charger and the pair took off, police said. When checked, the targeted vehicle had a fresh cut on the piping near the catalytic converter. One of the suspects was wearing a gray shirt and the other had a red T-shirt and black ski-type hat. Source: www.chicagotribune.com