Franklin County thieves target catalytic converters

Target: Mechanic George Mandrick Jr. shows a typical catalytic converter from a vehicle at Abes Auto Service, Chambersburg.

[WTF]

Gee, do you think its going to get better or worse now that you advertised it with your story? This article was pretty much a free "How to" guide for anyone looking to make a buck. If mine is stolen Im sending the PO the bill.

[ANOYMOUS]

This story should have been out in the paper at least several weeks ago. I do think they could have left some details out about it, but overall good job Public Opinion for finally putting in a story. This crime is only going to be cracked by the public's help.

[See Chel Post]

I am under the impression from those who tell me stuff that Newcomer's is somewhere you shouldn't be going to begin with, but I'll be darned if there is a chance of me sending my money there now!!

(For the record, it wouldn't be me going to the junkyard--I prefer curb surfing!)

[OH MY]

In the automobile industry we have on average 3to4 people coming in to buy converters from mechanics. As long as this is not regulated, this type of action will still go on. One would have to question why Newcomers is not screening who brings converters to their business.

[Dean]

This is happening everywhere, up here someone got into the Hyundai dealership and took them off all the cars that were outside, that all happened over night. Now the dealership has about a million dollars worth of cars they cannot sell as new. Maybe they should start putting serial numbers on these things or start checking the salvage yards.... I am sure there is someone willingly buying them from the thieves. Yeah people are hurting for money now, but people like this make everything worse on everyone. I know if it happened to my car I wouldn't have the money on hand to have it fixed. But I do have a baseball bat that would take care of the person doing it.

[jr from the burg]

This has been a story for weeks, the public opinion is not just reporting it! Two weeks ago we had ABC27 and NBC25 at our dealership reporting on the crimes. And everything in this article is common knowledge, they are not encouraging anyone to try this that didnt already have it on their mind!

[beentheredontlik eit]

People that complain about their taxes should not complain about these thefts.

There is NO local police patrols that canvass places like Lowes, Target, and similar parking lots.

We have NO county sheriff patrols in Franklin County doing routine patrols. The larger towns typically have only a few officers on duty at any time of day.

Most areas mentioned in this story are patrolled VERY infrequently by state police - understaffed and outmanned.

Bottom line?

Get a gun, get your permit, and defend your property yourself. Oh, and be sure to aim good. I do.

[Anon]

Hagerstown had a very detailed story on this 2-3 weeks ago and highlighted the thefts in Chambersburg at TB Woods, the hospital, Lowes at least three times, Giant, Food Lion, Target, Grangers and others. They went on to detail how and why they were being stolen and what was in them and why it was so valuable. It is my understanding they are serial numbered and there is a Federal Form to be signed. Not my line of business so I don't know for sure.

[TOPPER]

I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY A COMPANY LIKE NEWCOMERS TRUCK SALVAGE WOULD PURCHASE AS MANY CONVERTERS AS POSSIBLE. THEY PROBABLY DOUBLE OR TRIPLE THEIR MONEY ON EACH ONE PURCHASED, AFTER ALL THEY ARE IN THE BUSINESS TO MAKE MONEY. HOWEVER, EVEN THOUGH IT'S NOT THE LAW THEY SHOULD MAKE IT A PRACTICE TO DOCUMENT EACH INDIVIDUAL THEY PURCHASE FROM. JUST LIKE A PAWN SHOP, THEY COULD MAKE A COPY OF THEIR DRIVERS LICENSE AND HAVE THEM FILL OUT A INFORMATIONAL FORM. IF THERE IS A RASH OF THEFTS THEN AT LEAST THE POLICE WOULD HAVE SOME NAMES OF PEOPLE TO QUESTION AS TO WHERE THEY ARE GETTING THEIR CONVERTERS FROM. IT WAS GOOD TO HEAR THAT BEECHERS DOES NOT PURCHASE IF THERE IS A QUESTION AS TO THE PERSON SELLING THE CONVERTOR. GOOD CITIZENS OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY SHOULD DO ALL THEY CAN TO PREVENT THIS KIND OF PROBLEM BY USEING GOOD PRATICES EVEN IF THERE IS NO LAW THAT REQUIRES IT. I HOPE NEWCOMERS GET THE MESSAGE AND BEGIN THIS PRACTICE.

[Eileen]

Dean wrote:

This is happening everywhere, up here someone got into the Hyundai dealership and took them off all the cars that were outside, that all happened over night. Now the dealership has about a million dollars worth of cars they cannot sell as new. Maybe they should start putting serial numbers on these things or start checking the salvage yards.... I am sure there is someone willingly buying them from the thieves. Yeah people are hurting for money now, but people like this make everything worse on everyone. I know if it happened to my car I wouldn't have the money on hand to have it fixed. But I do have a baseball bat that would take care of the person doing it.

As fast as the crooks take those converters off, you wouldn`t even have time to grab your ball bat. Now what are ya goin to do?

[Embedded Citizen]

In addition to these items being stolen, I wonder when the rash of siphoned gas thefts will begin?
Make sure you have a locking gas cap!

[Dean]

Eileen wrote:

<quoted text>
As fast as the crooks take those converters off, you wouldn`t even have time to grab your ball bat. Now what are ya goin to do?

What is up with you Eileen? Are you feeling froggy...huh? hahaha. If I catch some idiot under my car I will just hop in it and start it up....see how fast they run then..

[Eileen]

Dean wrote:

<quoted text>
What is up with you Eileen? Are you feeling froggy...huh? hahaha. If I catch some idiot under my car I will just hop in it and start it up....see how fast they run then..

I got a solution for them by the name of KANE.

[Watching]

This is happening right under our nose folks. You may have seen one being stolen and didn't even know it. Police can't sit watching parking lots, but WE CAN. Let your spouse go in the store and sit and watch. Get plate numbers, follow them if you have to. Stop them in their tracks if you're so inclined with whatever means you have. These scum now have cellphones and lookouts. This communication is an edge criminals didn't used to have.

Know what to look for. They might park ahead of or right alongside another vehicle, so as to block your view of what they're doing. They are brave and they are laughing all the way to the scrapyard.

Finally, ask the manager at major stores you go to why they don't hire security patrols. Lowes and some others in the area could easily swing it, if they valued their customers' visit.

[wayne]

Listen up folks! Wait till the buzzards find out
that at Big Lots they sell a emergency siphon kit
with all the trimmings!

I got mine!

[Dean]

Eileen wrote:

<quoted text>
I got a solution for them by the name of KANE.

Yeah Kane will get the jerks. That would be a sight to see. I bet whoever it is when coming face to face with Kane will run like they never ran before. I love how everyone rides that lane that ends to the very end, and expect people to jam on their breaks so they can get over.

[mss]

Watching wrote:

This is happening right under our nose folks. You may have seen one being stolen and didn't even know it. Police can't sit watching parking lots, but WE CAN. Let your spouse go in the store and sit and watch. Get plate numbers, follow them if you have to. Stop them in their tracks if you're so inclined with whatever means you have. These scum now have cellphones and lookouts. This communication is an edge criminals didn't used to have.
Know what to look for. They might park ahead of or right alongside another vehicle, so as to block your view of what they're doing. They are brave and they are laughing all the way to the scrapyard.
Finally, ask the manager at major stores you go to why they don't hire security patrols. Lowes and some others in the area could easily swing it, if they valued their customers' visit.

You would have to talk to someone higher than a manager.

[anon]

"Listen up folks! Wait till the buzzards find out
that at Big Lots they sell a emergency siphon kit
with all the trimmings!"

Thanks for sharing....

[Carol1]

I thought some of those stores had cameras? Oh, wait, there's an idea, lets mount our little cameras under our own cars. Maybe we can get a break on insurance

[Camille Lynette]

If the news wouldn't have made such as production of this it wouldn't be an issue!