STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The NYPD arrested a suspect who allegedly was caught with several catalytic converters on Staten Island, according to a post on social media.

Officers on Wednesday saw the individual allegedly stealing the sought-after car part from a vehicle on the street, a post on the 121st Precinct Twitter feed says.

Today, Our Patrol Officers were able to apprehend an individual stealing a catalytic converter off a vehicle parked on a public street.  The suspect was also found to be in possession of several other catalytic converters and the tools used to swiftly steal them.  Great Job! pic.twitter.com/7ithCoNCGL

“The suspect was also found to be in possession of several other catalytic converters and the tools used to swiftly steal them,” said the message. “Great Job!”

A photo shows the catalytic converters lined up on a bench.

More information will be published when it becomes available.

Catalytic Converter thefts are a nationwide problem due to the increasing price of the materials that are inside these auto parts. Here are some tips you can use to avoid becoming a victim of these types of crimes. pic.twitter.com/qU06UxXwk7

Catalytic-converter thefts have been an ongoing issue on Staten Island, and the NYPD’s Auto Crime Unit has developed a way to give the car part a unique tracking number, leading them to offenders and discouraging thefts in the first place.

On July 15, at the 121 Precinct stationhouse on Richmond Avenue in Graniteville, detectives from the unit and Patrol Borough Staten Island helped install the tracking system, called CatGuard, on Staten Islanders’ cars. They explained what CatGuard is, how it works, and how it will help in the event of a theft.

“We put a sticker on the catalytic converter, cover it with an acid, and as the car drives and the catalytic converter heats up, those numbers get printed onto the catalytic converter,” Deputy Chief Terence Hurson, executive officer on Staten Island, explained.

“If [the NYPD] in the future, catch[es] someone with a catalytic converter, or scrap yards attempt to buy them, we’ll see that number and we’ll be able to say that number was stolen, and then at least arrest the person for criminal possession of stolen property,’’ Hurson said.

The number is registered in the CatGuard database so the part can be traced back to the vehicle. Along with the device, vehicles also get a window sticker that proves enrollment, which can help prevent being targeted by thieves.

Det. Thomas Burke explained the reason for the theft of the part: obtaining and selling the precious metals within the catalytic converter. “The price of metal goes up, the more valuable the catalytic converters are,’’ he said.

Hurson compared this new measure to a similar tracking method used on airbags, and said the police are hoping this will work as well as it did for airbags.

At this time, the sticker must be installed by police, who have access to the CatGuard database.

For those who wish to get a CatGuard on their catalytic converter, Hurson recommends watching the precincts’ social media accounts or calling the precinct and speaking to the crime prevention officer.

“Once we know when we’re doing this again, we can let people know,’’ he said.

Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission.

Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (User Agreement updated 1/1/21. Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement updated 7/1/2022).

© 2022 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us). The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local.

Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site.