As metal theft has emerged as a major crime across the state, a new metal-related crime seems to be gaining popularity in Lebanon.

Since mid-July five cases of catalytic converter theft have been reported to the Lebanon Police Department.

"With metal crimes, for some reason, it's very secretive and quiet. It seems to be a group of individuals that do not come forward with information [that may help]," explained Sgt. Det. Kevin Martinez.

A catalytic converter helps change exhaust gases into a non-hazardous substance, explained Wells Hickcox, owner of Hickcox Automotive Specialists. It also regulates the oxygen levels, adding or subtracting oxygen to the vehicle's engine so more or less fuel can be burned.

"If it's not working properly it can make your gas mileage drop. You could get half the mileage you should because it's not monitoring or working properly," he explained.

The converters are valuable because they contain three high-dollar, precious metals: Platinum, palladium and rhodium. Criminals often sell the material to scrap metal yards for quick cash.

"It seems that it's becoming more of a problem. In our area, we haven't really seen this until just recently, but it has been an issue for a period of time," Martinez said of converter thefts.

Trucks, vans, SUVs and other vehicles that sit higher off the ground are most at risk for having their converter taken. The converters can be engraved with identification numbers, such as a driver's license number, Martinez said. The converters can also be tack welded to make it harder for the bolts to be unscrewed. Criminals are using anything from wrenches to cutting torches to steal catalytic converters and taking the converter can be done in minutes.

What can people do to protect themselves from catalytic converter theft? "Get insurance," Hickcox recommends. He also suggested an alarm system that pages the owner of the vehicle if it is tampered with. However, the alarm systems can run anywhere between $300 and $1,500, depending on the system and the amount of coverage a customer wants.

Community members should report suspicious individuals in their area if they spot someone, Martinez said. "People should park in a well-lit area or an enclosed area," Martinez suggested, adding that motion lights also can help.

However, catalytic converters aren't always taken at night.

"One of the most recent ones was an individual who was caught in the act in the middle of the day," he said. Martinez explained that someone had come across the suspect attempting to take the converter from a van, and when he was spotted the man got on his bike and took off.

"We ended up catching him due to their efforts. Those kinds of circumstances are great when we can catch them in the act, but it's not often that it happens," he said.

Converters can fetch about $30 to $60 at a pawn shop or recycle yard, Martinez said. "Then of course that person takes it and sells it and makes $250, give or take," he added. "For the meth addict, he's stealing it so he can support his habit and the person who buys it from that individual turns around and sells it for three to four times what they bought it for."

The victim can endure a high cost to have the essential piece of equipment replaced. It can run between $300 to $1,500 to replace a catalytic converter. The cost depends on the damage done to remove the converter, as well as the replacement part.

"The reason it can cost so much is if there's no after-market product for it," Hickcox explained. When no after-market part is available, the converter may have to be ordered through a dealership. Additionally, some vehicles have more than one catalytic converter - some as many as four.

"We had a Toyota come in the other day and it was $900. They cut it right off at the manifold; basically the muffler and everything was gone. There wasn't anything underneath the vehicle," Hickcox said.

The department offers a $200 reward for the arrest and conviction of an individual involved in metal theft, not necessarily just catalytic converter thefts.

If you have information regarding catalytic converter thefts, or metal thefts in general, contact Martinez at 258-4305.

"The community is our eyes and ears and with a cooperative effort it can make a huge difference in how we reduce these types of crime by making it very visible in the community," Martinez said.