Cook County Sheriff's Office responds to out-of-control catalytic converter thefts

LEMONT, IL (CBS) –Police say catalytic conversion thefts are out of control – and they're trying to stop them.

Catalyst thefts-and sometimes violence that followed…have been a serious problem in the Chicago area for several years. But it's a national trend, and it's seeing renewed interest after the actor Johnny Wactor was shot dead when he caught thieves hitting his car in Los Angeles.

For law enforcement, the goal is to improve public safety, which sometimes means providing a resource to the community.

“As you all know, Sherriff [Tom] Dart believes in working in the community,” said Cook County Undersheriff Marlon Parks, “and when there is a lack of resources in the community, he wants the sheriff’s office to step up.”

Parks and the rest of the Cook County Sheriff's Office step in as catalytic converter thefts escalate.

“There was a need,” Parks said.

Nearly 100 people stopped by the Lemont Township Community Center Thursday and took advantage of a free service intended to deter crime.

“I've seen a lot of cars stolen. I've seen a lot of people say, 'My car doesn't run because my catalytic converter is gone – and it's making all this noise,'” Jeanine Holmes said. , “and I didn't want that to happen to me.”

Holmes showed up to take advantage of the free service: having her vehicle identification number (VIN) engraved, then spray-painted it on her catalytic converter in hopes of repelling thieves.

“When people crawl under your car to steal what's yours, I hope they see your VIN number and the sheriff's office tag on your catalytic converter,” Parks said, “and if they sell it , potential buyers will not take it because of the markings on the converter.”

Holmes wonders why thieves go to such lengths to steal catalytic converters, because it doesn't seem worth it. Patrick Flannery, deputy director of community engagement at the Cook County Sheriff's Office, has an answer.

“Some materials cost thousands of dollars,” he said.

Holmes also wonders if criminals won't be able to get money if they steal a spray-painted catalytic converter with an engraved VIN.

Flannery — who happens to be the son of former CBS 2 political editor Mike Flannery — couldn't say. But he said since November, the sheriff's office has registered about 400 vehicles.

Flannery said the effort could have prevented 400 catalytic converter thefts in Cook County.

“What we're trying to do is create a measure of safety within every community that we work with,” Holmes said.