The lieutenant said that there has been a nation-wide “explosion” of catalytic converter thefts due to the precious metals inside them, but it has been difficult to make prosecutions stick because they can’t tell for sure who the converters belong to.
He also said they planned to introduce legislation to the Dayton City Commission to label catalytic converters that has been defaced, such as if the etched-on label has been ground off, as contraband, and unable to be sold within the city.
Ultimately, Ponichtera said police hoped to have automakers imprint vehicle identification numbers on the converters from the factory.
For now, though, he said police are partnering with a few car service providers and using money from the city of Dayton to provide the labels for free when Dayton residents or those with Dayton businesses take their vehicles in for another service like a car repair, oil change, etc.
Participating servicers include Carroll-Wuertz Tire Company, Reichard GMC, Champion Auto-Truck-Fleet, certain Grismer Tire and Auto Service locations and White Allen car dealerships.
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