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Investigation leads to recovery of more than 175 stolen catalytic converters from Detroit home

Posted at 2:31 PM, Dec 31, 2018
and last updated 2018-12-31 17:57:10-05

DETROIT (WXYZ) — The Warren Police Department announced Monday an investigation that led to the recovery of more than 175 stolen catalytic converters from a home in the Detroit area.

Warren Police Commissioner William Dwyer addressed media during a press conference Monday afternoon to detail the investigation, which resulted in the arrest of one suspect.

According to Dwyer, members of the Warren Police Special Operations Unit, Macomb County Auto Theft Unit and Detroit Auto Theft Squad executed a search warrant Monday, Dec. 31 in the city of Detroit. More than 175 stolen catalytic converters were recovered from a home in the 2600 block of Superior, which is located near Chene and the I-94 expressway. One person was arrested without incident.

Investigators say the arrest was the result of a one-month ongoing investigation and well over 100 hours of physical surveillance by detectives outside of the home.

The converters, which are emission control devices that contain precious metals, were located at the home and mostly inside a box truck on the property.

Dwyer says the thefts have become a growing issue in the metro Detroit area, adding that a converter can cost upwards of $500 to replace and can be stolen within minutes.

There have been hundreds of complaints regarding these thefts, Dwyer said.

The investigation is ongoing.