The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department is reporting an increase in thefts of catalytic converters over the last year. Today they issued a statement that MCSD wants Monroe County residents and business owners to be aware of this ongoing criminal activity. In the last 12 months, MCSD deputies have taken nearly 70 reports of catalytic converter thefts.

According to MCSD, a catalytic converter is an essential part of a vehicle exhaust system which contains precious metals. One converter can be removed with a battery powered saw in a matter of minutes. The part is sold for several hundred dollars, leaving the vehicle owner with thousands of dollars in damages and part replacement.

The majority of these thefts in Monroe County have taken place between Thursday and Sunday during the night-time hours. Industrial and commercial areas on the near west side of Bloomington have been particularly targeted likely due to seclusion and poor lighting.

Business owned pick-up and box trucks have proved to be easy targets since they have a high ground clearance and often sit unused for days or weeks at a time. It is suggested that vehicles of this kind are checked often and parked conspicuously with adequate lighting.

Video surveillance and even a well-placed and inexpensive IP camera can be helpful to an investigation.

Unattended vehicles parked at boat ramps have also been targeted most recently.

The Dodge pick-up truck shown in the picture was used in one of these thefts on March 11, however, this is only one of several different unidentified suspect vehicles reported over the recent months.

Any tips regarding these thefts may be submitted by calling the Monroe County Detective Division at 812-349-2727.