Gates Police warn of several recent catalytic converter thefts in town

GATES, N.Y. (WHEC) — Gates Police say several vehicles throughout the town have had their catalytic converters cut off and stolen recently.

The police department posted the update in a neighborhood watch update on Facebook Tuesday, asking people to call 911 if they see any suspicious activity.

They did not specify where the thefts happened or what kinds of vehicles were targeted.

This continues an uptick in catalytic converter thefts in the Greater Rochester area that was first identified in January 2021.

In the past, businesses with fleets of vehicles have been targeted.

Vehicle owners will need to pay thousands of dollars in repairs if the part is stolen, or their vehicle will not pass its New York State inspection.

The part is attractive to thieves because it contains precious metals including platinum, rhodium and strontium. Scrap yards will pay up to the hundreds of dollars for them.