Area RV dealer target of thefts
Ansley among three dealerships to report catalytic converters stolen from vehicles
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A string of recent catalytic converter thefts have targeted private properties throughout Blair and surrounding counties, but now it seems the perpetrators have shifted focus to dealerships.
Police are investigating reports of several stolen catalytic converters from three vehicle and motorhome dealerships in Allegheny Township and Blair Township.
"We have had a number of catalytic converters taken from a number of vehicles," Allegheny Township Police Chief Leo Berg said.
Ansley RV was among the three dealerships targeted in the catalytic converter thefts, with owner Bill Ansley reporting five converters taken from vehicles parked in the lot.
Ansley said he has been aware of catalytic converter thefts for quite some time, but he never expected his own business would be hit.
While he wouldn't go into detail about how he plans to enhance security measures, Ansley said extra precautions will be taken to ensure catalytic converter thefts don't happen again.
"We thought we were doing everything right," Ansley said. "We kept our vehicles parked in a well-lit area, and we had other forms of security in place. I guess we'll have to be a little more vigilant and change up how and where we park our vehicles moving forward."
Catalytic converter thefts have been reported across the state and nation in recent months, with dozens of converters reported stolen in Bedford and Blair counties.
Catalytic converters are a part of a vehicle's exhaust system and are designed to reduce pollutants or toxic gas emitting from a vehicle.
Thieves seek out catalytic converters because of the precious metals inside, such as platinum, palladium, rhodium and gold. The converters can be sold to recycling centers for cash.
State police have listed an average price of $250 for each stolen converter, but victims have faced a heavy financial burden trying to replace the converters, which often cost well over $1,000 when adding in labor, and depending on the make and model of the vehicle. To replace a converter on an RV, one caller to the Mirror office said it was going to cost him well over $3,500 that he hoped insurance would cover.
"For as much money as it costs to replace them, the people stealing them are only making a fraction of that," Ansley said.
State police in neighboring counties have caught several suspected thieves.
According to state police, charges were filed against Dena Norris, 49, and Darren Norris, 28, both of Everett, following attempted thefts Jan. 19 from vehicles in Huntingdon County.
Earlier this month, Shane Rickabaugh, 34, of Riddlesburg, and Travis Sloas, 31, of Everett, face charges of attempted theft and criminal mischief for an attempted theft of a catalytic converter from a 2011 BMW 3281 on Dec. 15 in the area of Main Street, Wood Township.
Police continue to investigate the rash of thefts, and Berg said potential leads are being chased.
He advises residents and local business owners to be diligent in protecting their vehicles.
To better protect a vehicle from a potential catalytic converter theft, Berg said owners should keep the vehicle parked in a garage if possible, and if not, park the vehicle in a well-lit area.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Allegheny Township Police at 814-695-3333.
"This has really become an epidemic," Ansley said. "This has been a major problem, and nobody really knows how to fix it."
Mirror Staff Writer Calem Illig is at 814-946-7535.