HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021/10/19-Attachments-IR 21-10699 - Update on Catalytic Converters TheftINFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 21-10699
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To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
October 19, 2021
Page 1 of 2
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFTS
The purpose of this Informal Report is to respond to a request for information on Catalytic Converter
Thefts, enforcement efforts, and a general overview of the current process in the City of Fort Worth.
Catalytic Converter thefts have become a problem not only in the city of Fort Worth but
nationwide as well. The ease of stealing them and the value of the precious metals contained in
the converters make them an easy and valuable target. The converters do not have serial
numbers or Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) which makes tracking the origin of the theft
almost impossible.
The below chart shows the number of Catalytic Converter offenses that the Fort Worth Police
Department received between January 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021:
Division
Total
Central
16
East
262
Narth
177
Nerffiwest
17
auth-10
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Total
1398
As a result of the increase in Catalytic Converter Thefts the Fort Worth PD and the Tarrant Regional
Auto Theft Task Force worked together to try and address the thefts. The partnership between the
two agencies lasted 6 weeks and resulted in several arrest and valuable intelligence in identifying
several people involved in the Catalytic Converters thefts. The results of the joint operation are
listed below:
Felony Arrest: 16
Felony Warrants: 3
Catalytic Converters recovered: 69 approximate value = $34,000 to $83,000
Misdemeanor Arrest: 17 Street Value of Drugs Seized: $3580
Recovered Stolen Vehicles: 4 Vehicles Seized: 5
Consent to Search: 1
Citations Issued: 1
Recovered Property: $1890
SUS's Identified:
Seized Gun: 1
FI/Office Interviews: 24
Cash Seized as Evidence: $26,000
100
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 21-10699
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To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
October 19, 2021
Page 2of2
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFTS
This operation uncovered the sophistication of the crime rings involved in catalytic converter
thefts and that this problem is not isolated to only Fort Worth or the North Texas Region. Several
investigations showed that this issue is a nationwide problem and there was one case that had an
international connection where the catalytic converters were being shipped out of the country.
The Joint operation was successful and helped identify numerous people involved in Catalytic
Converter Thefts throughout the county. The offense for being in possession of a Catalytic
Converter falls under the Occupation Code:
Occupation Code 1956.203(b) soliciting purchase of a regulated metal at a location other
than where material is produced as a by-product in the ordinary course of that business
Occupation Code 1956.021 — acting as a metal recycling entity without registration.
The actual offense is committed with a Sawzall tool and takes approximately 1 minute to cut from
the vehicle. As we have adapted our approach in trying to identify which vehicle a catalytic
converter comes from, the actors have changed to now using two cuts on the converter which
makes it virtually impossible to identify which vehicles the converters are taken from.
There are no current Federal Charges for the theft of Catalytic Converters however
FWPD and the Tarrant County Auto Theft Task Force continue to share information to track
prolific offenders, identify organized crews and target non -licensed buyers of catalytic converters.
One preventative step that has occurred across the country is the etching of VIN numbers or any
other identifying information on the catalytic converters. Many cases go unsolved because there
is no link to the catalytic converter and the vehicle it was taken from. Just like auto etching, this is
a voluntary program that requires the participation from citizens.
Currently, we are working with the Tarrant County Auto Theft Task Force and exploring
preventative steps to help limit the amount of catalytic converter thefts in our city.
If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact Chief Neil Noakes at 817-
392-4212.
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS