TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — A man suspected of stealing catalytic converters for months was arrested this week after the owner says he caught him on camera.
If your catalytic converter is stolen, it’s going to cause a number of run-ability issues. Your car will be loud, you will see a bunch of lights on your dashboard, and your pockets will be lighter.
The Tulsa Police Department has been trying to catch a suspect for almost seven months who has been stealing catalytic converters from a specific shop. That shop is Paramount Capital Motors.
They have had several different incidents at the same shop from the same suspect. That suspect, Robby Harvey, was arrested on July 3rd with four different catalytic converters.
“Was able to make contact with the female inside who said she was driving the boyfriend who walked away from the vehicle towards that yard. Little further investigation they got into the yard there able to find a bunch of burglary tools that they were using to get catalytic converters, said Tulsa Police Officer Danny Bean.
"Some help came and we were able to find our suspect hiding under a car where they made the arrest. No incident. Kind of gave up. Made the arrest and find out that this is our suspect that we have been looking for in this particular area," said Bean.
This has become a huge problem worldwide. After TPD’s arrest in 2021, that turned into a major investigation that spanned multiple states. The total amount stolen in catalytic converters was over $500 million.
How can you stop catalytic converter thieves?
“Etch to protect and it was to help combat specifically catalytic converter thefts", said Bean.
The program engraves or etches your VIN number on the catalytic converter so that it becomes indestructible and nobody will take it from the thief with your car’s information it.
Jiffy Lube, who also partners with crime stoppers and TPD, has a free plan available all over town.
“We’re happy to say that this is no appointment necessary service. Free to come in. Service does not take us long. Matter of minutes, most vehicles five to ten minutes. It’s a free service. All 17 area locations are participating in this service. We call it our etch to protect. A gentleman is going to go underneath the vehicle where the catalytic converter is located. And he is going to inscribe that on the catalytic converter ang again with that high temp paint", Jiffy Lube Tulsa area supervisor, Allan Mason.