News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Crossville-Cumberland County Crimestoppers is offering $300 for information on the theft of catalytic converters.
Crossville Detective Jonathan Tollett said the crime has been a growing issue for automobile owners across the community.
“We’ve got these people cutting these catalytic converters off,” Tollett said. “It is taking them a couple of minutes, and they can make 200-300 dollars up to depending on where they go $800.”
Tollett said people use a cordless saw, crawl under the vehicle and steal the part in a matter of minutes. Tollet said the part is made of valuable metals and Ford and GMC trucks are the target vehicles.
“We’re looking for tips for names that would lead to an arrest,” Tollett said. “Hopefully, when it gets out that we are arresting these people, it will stop or slow down considerable. The victim, it is costing them $1,500 to get the catalytic converter.”
Tollett said Crimestoppers is a tool to engage the community through social media to find criminals. Tollett said all tips are kept anonymous.
“When we can’t identify the suspects, we put it on Facebook,” Tollett said. “The community will view it, and every time we post something we get thousands that view it, and we have a real good success of getting suspects identified.”
More help is also on the way from the state level. Tollett said starting July 1st, a new law will be voted on that requires buyers to have a salvage license and keep record of where the part originated.
