Police are investigating after catalytic converters were stolen off an entire fleet of student transportation vehicles in Trumbull.
Police said they were called Thursday morning to investigate after catalytic converters were taken overnight off 28 school-owned vehicles on Oakview Drive, forcing the Cooperative Educational Service School to be closed.
The cost of the loss is estimated at over $75,000.
Trumbull Police said they have noticed a drastic increase in the theft of catalytic converters, which is not only on the rise in Connecticut but has also become a serious problem nationwide.
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They urge people to park in well-lit areas, close to a building entrance or to the nearest access road when parking in a public lot whenever possible.
They urge people with a security system on your car to calibrate it so vibration sets off the alarm.
They also recommend video surveillance around your vehicle, motion-sensitive lights and parking in your driveway or a closed garage whenever possible.
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What to Look for
If you start your vehicle and hear a loud exhaust noise, it is likely that your catalytic converter has been stolen, police say.
If this happens, make sure you are in a safe location and have the undercarriage of your vehicle inspected.
The catalytic converter is a round canister that connects two pieces of piping in the exhaust.
If there is a gaping space in the middle of your exhaust, that’s an indication that the converter is missing, and you will likely see signs that the piping had been cut away.
If you become a victim, file a police report. If you have specific information regarding a recent catalytic converter theft in Trumbull, call the Trumbull Police Department at 203-261-3665, or dial 911 for all emergencies.
Catalytic converters were also stolen from DATTCO vehicles in several towns earlier this year.
