Avon Police Investigating String of Car Thefts

In a rare turn of events, an unknown number of people went on a crime spree and stole five catalytic converters off five cars in Avon earlier this week. 

According to police reports, the cars were hit between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, and the thefts were spread out along five streets: Rosewood Boulevard, Mulberry Lane, Detroit Road, Cypress East and Center Road. 

The police received calls and took reports from each of the car owners, but as of yet, the department has no leads or suspects. 

Ernie Fesco, owner of , said thieves target the car parts because they’re relatively easy to steal and because they contain precious metals that can be traded for quick cash at recycling plants or junkyards. 

The converters are located underneath cars along the exhaust system, are usually removed by power hand saws and can be traded in for as much as $100 or more, area car salesmen Jim Piasecki said. 

“Foreign cars, especially vans or trucks, are targeted because they sit higher off the ground and their converters can be worth more,” Fesco said. 

Typically, plants like Blue Star recycling in Elyria won’t accept converters without a valid driver’s license or proof of ownership, but there are some who will look the other way and purchase the valuable car parts with or without the proper documentation, he added. 

The string of thefts is currently under investigation.