Catalytic converter thieves hit Las Vegas church, says anti-theft device installed

Las Vegas, Nev. (FOX5) – Catalytic converter thefts have been a real pain for CCLV Church near Bonanza near Pecos Road.

“Unfortunately, we’ve been hit eight times in the last three years,” Pastor Alvin Hayes Jr. said.

The church hoped that installing wire cages around the catalytic converters in its vans would keep thieves away. It was not suitable for a carriage. The church believes thieves stole the van’s converter box, which had an anti-theft device in place, on Monday night.

“Even with enough time, the thieves were able to round them up,” Pastor Hayes said.

He added, “It’s frustrating. He destroys.”

Catalytic converters are part of a car’s exhaust system. Precious metals are used to remove waste. Thieves take converters because some of the precious metals are worth more than gold. Thieves can hack the converter in less than a minute. Some people in the valley have to keep their cars because they can’t afford expensive repairs that can cost $1,500 or more.

The Las Vegas Police Department just provided FOX5 with new numbers that show a nearly 40% jump in catalytic converter thefts from 2021 to 2022. FOX5 asked Metro Police what they’re doing to crack it. And we asked how many arrests the catalytic converter theft task force made, but the department declined to comment.

The CCLV church says it has stopped filing police reports and does not use insurance for theft. Pastor Hayes says the church is considering selling the vans because they are always prone to thieves.

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