“Breathtaking scale” of catalytic converter thefts in Missouri

Seven Missouri residents are facing charges of theft ring involving the theft of thousands of catalytic converters.

The Springfield-area suspects are now indicted by a federal grand jury for their alleged roles in a conspiracy to move thousands of stolen catalytic converters across state lines.

The feds say it was part of a multi-million-dollar operation.

The catalytic converter that removes harmful compounds from a car’s exhaust contains platinum and other precious metals and can be sold for hundreds of dollars.

The alleged crimes of theft, transporting stolen property across state lines and conspiracy happened over the course of December 2019 through last October.

The U-S attorney handling the case says it a was “a scourge of catalytic converter thefts on a breathtaking scale.