The Dallas Police Department has released the image of a suspect whom authorities said is involved in a catalytic converter theft.
The suspect allegedly cut the catalytic converters from two victims’ vehicles located in the 3100 block of S. Buckner Boulevard, according to Dallas police.
A surveillance camera recorded the suspect at the time of the incident, on May 25 at approximately 11 p.m. Police have released the captured image and are asking for the public’s help identifying the suspect.
Catalytic converter theft in Dallas has been a big headache for law enforcement and a major concern for car owners in recent months. As reported by The Dallas Express, data from the Dallas Police Department shows that the rate of catalytic converter thefts in 2021 was up by over 300% from 2020.
The Dallas PD data show 655 catalytic converter thefts were recorded in 2020, a considerable increase from 123 in 2019. However, 2021 saw a record 2,187 catalytic converters reported stolen in the city.
Thieves steal these converters to extract the platinum, palladium, or rhodium in them. Those involved in the theft primarily target vehicles with more space between the pavement and the undercarriage, which makes them easier to get underneath, according to Dallas police.
National Insurance Crime Bureau data show that rhodium was valued at $14,500 per ounce, while an ounce of platinum or palladium was valued at $1,061 and $2,336, respectively, in December 2020.
Values by July 6, 2022, had fallen to $13,750 per ounce for rhodium, $869 per ounce for platinum, and $1,957 per ounce for palladium, but apparently, thieves still consider stealing catalytic converters worth the risk.
In April, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick identified catalytic converter thefts as one of the issues he wants the state Senate to address in the next legislative session. Patrick added that the Senate needs to pursue further action to combat the problem despite House Bill 4110, which increased criminal penalties for selling stolen metals and went into effect in 2021.
“Determine what actions are needed to aid law enforcement and stop catalytic converter theft and its related violence,” the April 4 release from Patrick’s office read.
The Dallas Police Department urges car owners to be watchful and vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the department.
Anyone with information regarding the suspect’s identity is asked to call Detective J. Hellenguard #8458 with the Dallas Police Department Southeast Investigative Unit at 214-671-0132.