Derek Figueroa
Dion Howard
Roosevelt ScrogginsPEORIA, AZ (CBS5) -
Residents whose cars are equipped with catalytic converters are being warned to look out for metal thieves.
Peoria police said since August they've received 15 reports of thieves stealing the components for their precious metal content.
Last month, three men were arrested on suspicious of stealing a catalytic converter from a vehicle parked in a store parking lot near 75th Avenue and Encanto.
The department's Impact Team had gotten a lead on a group of suspects who might be connected to some of the thefts and had spent several days watching their movements.
The three men got out of their truck and raised the hood, appearing to look at the engine, police said. One of the men then got on the ground with a saw and went underneath a nearby Toyota Sequoia.
Within just a few minutes, working as a team, the men removed the catalytic converter, put it in their truck and drove away, police said.
They didn't get far. A short time later, police arrested Roosevelt Scroggins, 42; Dion Howard, 21; and Derek Figueroa, 19.
Police said in most cases, catalytic converters are sold to auto recyclers, earning thieves about $50. The victim has to spend an average of $1,500 fixing their vehicle, officers said.
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