Arrests Made In Catalytic Converter Thefts

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. - Gwinnett County police said they caught a crew of catalytic converter thieves red-handed.

"They confessed to what they were doing," Cpl. Edwin Ritter told GA Daily News reporter Manuel Bojorquez.

Ritter said officers received a tip about men crawling undeeath cars around 3 a.m Dec. 17 in the parking lot of the Alderwood Apartments off Jimmy Carter Boulevard in the Norcross area.

"They found catalytic converters inside the (suspects') vehicle along with the tools to do that job," he said.

Officers arrested 24-year-old Pedro Cruz, 26-year-old Mikal D. Sanders, 21-year-old Abner T. Zabla, and 23-year-old Khawja K. Shahriar.

A mechanic at a nearby auto repair shop said he's seen an increase in customers needing to replace catalytic converters because of thieves sawing them off.

"(Customers) are upset because they have to pay for the replacement," said auto mechanic Eduardo Cruz. He said a new converter could cost hundreds of dollars.

Thieves go after the parts, which are in the undercarriage of vehicles, because they can sell the precious metals inside the converter at scrap yards.

Cruz said the thieves may get $60 to $70 per converter, but cause hundreds of dollars in damage.