PORTAGE, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – A suspect has been arrested in connection to the theft of catalytic converters from stationary vehicles.
Catalytic converter theft has been an ongoing problem in Southwest Michigan. The converter contains precious metals, which is why they are stolen and sold for scrap.
Police say thieves look for unattended vehicles in parking lots and cut the converter off the exhaust system with a reciprocating saw.
Over the last few weeks, police say suspects have been targeting church parking lots in Portage during Sunday services.
On Sunday, January 30, police conducting surveillance say they arrested a suspect for two thefts of converters from vehicles at a church on Milham and Oakland.
A third theft occurred from a church on Romence near Constitution.
The male suspect was lodged at the Kalamazoo County Jail pending requested larceny charges.
Residents are asked to call police if they see anyone acting suspiciously around unattended vehicles.
