Two Lehigh Valley law enforcement agencies are warning residents to be vigilant after a dramatic uptick in catalytic converter thefts in Bethlehem and Easton. Bethlehem Police used their social media to alert citizens about the increased thefts, and Easton Police Department Lieutenant Matthew Gerould also spoke about the issue. Catalytic converters are in high demand on the illegal market, and the crime usually leaves victims with costly repair bills.

Have you been arrested for catalytic converter theft? This offense can be a misdemeanor or a felony, and the severity of the charges depends on factors like the value of the catalytic converter and your criminal history. Take this situation seriously! Even a misdemeanor conviction can cost you your freedom and damage your future. Call the Criminal Defense Team at the LLF Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or contact us online today!

Catalytic Converter Theft Is on the Rise Nationwide

It's not just the Lehigh Valley that is dealing with a dramatic rise in the frequency of catalytic converter theft. The sad reality is that law enforcement agencies nationwide are struggling with this issue. The reason for catalytic converters' newfound popularity with thieves all boils down to money.

Without functioning catalytic converters, modern vehicles cannot pass emissions testing or state inspections. As cars and car repairs become more costly, essential parts like catalytic converters become targets for thieves because they are always in demand at chop shops. Catalytic converters also contain valuable metals, such as platinum and rhodium, that can be stripped out and sold without leaving any traces.

Although stolen car parts have always been a profitable illegal pursuit, catalytic converters are so valuable on the illegal market that organized crime rings are stealing them on a national scale. The FBI has broken up multi-state catalytic converter theft rings that have generated hundreds of millions of dollars in illegal profits.

How You Can Better Protect Yourself From Catalytic Converter Theft

Catalytic converter theft is often a crime of opportunity, where thieves roam in organized groups that look for easy targets that they can quickly strip with minimal chances of being caught. Easton police note that many of their recorded thefts have occurred on public streets between 3:00 AM and 5:00 AM. The good news is there are steps you can take to protect your car from catalytic converter theft.

First, if you have a garage or way to secure your vehicle behind a security barrier, use them to park your cars overnight. If you don't have that available, try to park your car in very well-lit areas with as much vehicle or pedestrian traffic as possible, preferably in front of commercial businesses.

While it is unlikely there will be passers-by between 3:00 AM and 5:00 AM, there is always a chance one of the commercial businesses has surveillance that may scare away potential thieves. Taking these steps will not guarantee the safety of your vehicle's catalytic converter, but making it as hard to steal as possible certainly lowers the chances you will be the next victim.

What To Do if You Have Been Arrested for Catalytic Converter Theft

You can be charged with felony catalytic converter theft if the stolen converter is worth over $1,000. It is important to note that you can also be charged for merely possessing a stolen catalytic converter, even if you didn't steal it. Considering the high price of modern cars, an arrest for catalytic converter theft could easily leave you facing a felony charge. Do not take chances with the criminal justice system.

Contact the Criminal Defense Team at the LLF Law Firm. We offer all our clients the benefit of experienced, knowledgeable representation in both misdemeanor and felony catalytic converter theft cases. When your freedom is on the line, you deserve an attorney who will fight to defend your freedom and your good name. Call the Criminal Defense Team at the LLF Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or contact us online today!