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Thieves steal catalytic converters from cars in hospital lot

Healthcare Security Weekly, February 12, 2007

In Bangor, Maine earlier this month, thieves brazenly removed catalytic converters in a busy parking lot at Eastern Maine Medical Center in broad daylight, according to news reports.

Removed, what? While you've likely heard of thieves stealing stereos, air bags, high-intensity headlights, and even pocket change from cars and trucks, now there's a new target. Thieves are crawling under vehicles and cutting away the catalytic converters that contain small amounts of platinum, rhodium, and palladium, reported the Associated Press.

Because the value of these three precious metals has been rising sharply, thieves can take the catalytic converters to scrap yards and collect up to $100 to $150 for some models. Police in Alabama, California, Louisiana, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, and Tennessee have taken reports of catalytic converter thefts in recent weeks, according to the news service.

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