Caught stealing car parts
Wed, 05/12/2021 - 6:29pm
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LIME SPRINGS - On Friday, May 7, 2021 at 12:42 p.m. Howard County Dispatch received a call from a residence west of Lime Springs where subjects were found removing catalytic converters.
Howard County Deputies arrested Tyler Jeffrey Schacherer, of Rochester, Minn., and a search warrant was conducted recovering seven catalytic converters.
Schacherer is being charged with 2nd degree possession of stolen property and 4th degree criminal mischief.
The Sheriff’s Department was assisted by Cresco Towing and Recovery.
Why Catalytic converters?
There has been a string of cars, trucks, buses and more that have had their catalytic converters (an anti-pollution device) cut out of their cars more frequently in the past few months.
The part can be sold to recyclers for $50-250 per item, but costs $1,000-3,000 to replace it.
One metal inside the converter is rhodium. The price has soared to about $28,000 per ounce, although only about $200 can be found in one converter.
Some auto repair shops have been charging customers to weld rebar around the converter to discourage thieves from stealing them.
