Fri. Nov 22nd, 2024
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Well-organised thieves are targeting car yards and busy parking lots across South East Queensland to steal catalytic converters from unsuspecting motorists.

Police are investigating the theft of almost more than $460,000 worth of the devices in the region in February.

Superintendent Geoff Sheldon said recently released footage of three men police believe are linked to the investigation showed how quickly a catalytic converter could be removed from a vehicle.

“They’re able to get in, get under cars and take the items out from under cars, and the first you know is you start your car and it sounds like a truck,” he said.

“They’re targeting car yards and places cars and trucks are parked up for the night.

“They’re getting in, diving underneath, cutting off what they need and they’re gone.

“It’s a very quick offence and has a high return for them.”

Superintendent Sheldon said between 60 and 70 different offences had been committed between the Gold Coast and South Brisbane, including Ipswich and Logan, in February.

About $463,000 worth of catalytic converters were stolen.

‘Like-minded individuals’

Catalytic converters reduce harmful emissions from petrol engines and contain a range of precious metals including rhodium, palladium and platinum.

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