by Catherine Rierson
Staff Writer

More than two dozen commuters have returned to area park and ride lots to discover that their vehicles no longer had a catalytic converter.

According to UNC police spokesperson Randy Young, in the last week of June, 13 catalytic converters were stolen from vehicles at the Friday Center park and ride lot and the Chatham County park and ride lot on US 15-501. Young said there were two thefts after that, but since then the robberies have thinned out.

“We posted an officer down there to patrol and to assure a physical presence in the lots,” Young said, adding that UNC officials are also reviewing the addition of more security cameras as well as a day patrol.

Catalytic converters are emissions-control devices made with small amounts of valuable metals. They can fetch up to $200 at scrap yards. Stealing a converter is quick work for thieves with battery-powered saws. SUVs are often targeted because their higher clearance makes the converters easier to get at.

The converter thefts add a new wrinkle to an ongoing problem with thieves at the lots. Just from the Chatham lot alone at least $5,000 in auto parts have been stolen since June 2007, and that’s not including the most recent rash of robberies.

In 12 different incidents, patrons of the Friday Center lot have seen more than $3,000 worth of auto parts, including stereo equipment and spare tires, go missing.