The Davenport Police are investigating a recent string of catalytic converters being stolen from cars. The most recent place hit was the parking lot of 500 East 59th Street in Davenport where 10 converters were stolen off of cars.
A catalytic converter is a device between the engine and the muffler of a car that uses a catalyst to convert three harmful compounds in car exhaust into harmless components. They contain platinum and rhodium which is what gives them value at a junk yard.
Davenport Police Captain Dale Sievert says the parts run for about $100 at a junk yard. Once the converter is stolen off of a car, it causes the car to be extremely loud. It can take anywhere from $200-$800 to replace the device.
"If you have to park in a parking lot, hopefully have that parking lot as well lit as possible and on a high traffic street," Capt. Sievert says.
The Police Department is urging people to contact them if they have any leads or see any suspicious activity.