New Braunfels police search for owners of stolen catalytic converters

Part of a motor vehicle’s exhaust system, a catalytic converter, seen here being removed from a vehicle, transforms noxious gasses produced by internal combustion engines into harmless carbon dioxide and water vapor.

Getty Images /iStockphoto

After an arrest in connection with the theft of catalytic convertors, police are trying to return them to their rightful owners in the Hill Country. New Braunfels Police Department detectives are investigating recent thefts of catalytic convertors following the arrest of three individuals on Wednesday, May 4, according to a news release.

The three people, two men and one woman, all from Houston, were approached by police in a red Nissan passenger car at the Sac N Pac location in the 200 block of Loop 337. All three were taken into custody when police officers discovered that they were in possession of nine catalytic convertors, along with the equipment needed to cut them from vehicles, according to the release.

So far, only one of the nine theft victims has been located from a vehicle parked at the Ranch at the Guadalupe apartment complex, according to the release. Police say the vehicles that are most frequently targeted for catalytic convertor thefts are any newer-model large pickup truck or SUV. In particular, Toyota Tundras, Toyota Sequoias, and Mitsubishi Outlanders have been targeted.

The New Braunfels Police Department is asking anyone in the area who had a catalytic convertor stolen from their vehicle during the overnight hours to contact Detective J. Meier at 830-221-4165.