From L-R: Winfield Police Chief Robbie DeLong, Ark City Police Chief Eric Burr, Cowley County Crime Stoppers Director Tracy Beckwith and Cowley County Sheriff Dave Falletti. (Photo courtesy Cowley County Crime Stoppers)
The Cowley County Crime Stoppers, in coordination with area law enforcement agencies, have purchased and made available to the public a catalytic converter marking kit.
According to information posted by Cowley County Crime Stopper’s Facebook page, catalytic converter thefts have been on the rise in Cowley County in the last year due to the soaring price of precious metals contained in the parts.
One significant set back in tracking catalytic converters once they have been removed from a vehicle is matching them to a particular victim.
The CATETCH catalytic converter identification kit allows vehicle owners to apply an identifiable number to the converter which is registered on-line. The number can be provided to law enforcement and entered into the National Crime Information Center which will help them track stolen parts.
A catalytic converter that can be tracked and tied to a specific crime can help investigators link those in possession of the converter to the crime, no matter where the catalytic converter is recovered in the United States.
The CATETCH kits are currently available free of charge at the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office, Winfield Police Department, Arkansas City Police Department, Udall Police Department and Burden Police Department.
The application of the kit is highly recommended for those who have been the victim of theft on numerous occasions and those residents owning vans, sport utility vehicles and trucks.
If you have questions or would like to obtain a kit for your vehicles, please contact the specific law enforcement agency in your area.
