The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a suspect in a theft of a catalytic converter from a local church’s vehicle, according to a release Wednesday.
Sheriff’s office deputies were dispatched to investigate a larceny at the Wayside Baptist Church off Highway 70 on Saturday. A witness saw a man the catalytic converters off vans in the church’s parking lot and confronted the suspect, said the office.
The man ran, taking one catalytic converter, and used an early 2000’s dark blue Honda Accord with 30 day tags to drive away. According to the office’s release, the vehicle’s driver side mirror appears to be held on with duct tape. The suspect is described as a Black man with short hair, approximately six-foot-two inches tall and believed to be between 50 and 60 years old.
“This type of theft is hard to stop because it can happen so quickly,” said Sheriff Charles Blackwood. “In this case, witnesses provided a description of the suspect and the vehicle he drove, and these descriptions matched available video footage. We hope the public can help us identify the suspect.”
The Orange County Sheriff's Office is investigating a recent catalytic converter theft off Highway 70. The office shared these photos of a suspect in the case. Anyone with knowledge of this person, or the theft from July 18, is encouraged to call 919-245-2907. pic.twitter.com/06H9Ndlt9q
— WCHL & Chapelboro (@WCHLChapelboro) July 22, 2020
A catalytic converter reduces harmful emissions from automobile exhaust, using metals such as palladium, rhodium, gold, or platinum as the catalyst. The part sometimes is stolen because recyclers extract these expensive metals and sell them for a profit, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
Catalytic converters do not have Vehicle Identification Numbers stamped on them, making it difficult to trace a stolen converter back to a specific victim’s vehicle. Additionally, the sheriff’s office warned thieves can remove a catalytic converter quickly, especially from vehicles that sit high off the ground like trucks and SUVs.
According to the sheriff’s office, Walter Vila is the lead investigator and is working with other local law enforcement agencies to develop a list of suspects. Anyone with any information is asked to call him at 919-245-2907.
Photo via the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
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