Union County holds catalytic converter etching program to combat rise in device's thefts

Union County and the National Insurance Crime Bureau held a free program Saturday to combat a rise in catalytic converter thefts around the county.

A catalytic converter etching program in locations across the county hopes to lower the number of thefts by helping vehicle owners mark their catalytic converters.

"The catalytic converters contain precious metals that have become very valuable," explained Union County First Assistant Prosecutor Jim Tansey. "We're etching them and then we're painting them with a very bright florescent colored paint, so when the perpetrators look under the car, they notice immediately that that catalytic converter is etched. Consequently, if they're caught with it, they can be charged with receiving stolen property."

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