Thefts of catalytic converters have been increasing nationwide, including in Addison. In 2021, the Addison Police Department received 107 reports of stolen catalytic converters and that number more than double in 2022 to 275. At its February 28 meeting, the City Council amended the Town's ordinances to make it an offense to possess catalytic converters under certain circumstances.
Currently, there is no state law offense for simply possessing a catalytic converter that has been removed from a vehicle. Officers would have to prove the person possessing the catalytic converter stole it themselves or knew it was stolen property in order to prosecute under state law.
The approved amendment makes it an offense to possess a catalytic converter that has been removed from a vehicle, with an exception for metal recycling companies. Additionally, this ordinance does not apply if the possessor can prove the converter was removed from their vehicle or was passed from the owner of a vehicle to the person in possession. Each converter in possession would be considered a separate Class C misdemeanor offense.
Officer Davis from the Addison Police Department will be teaching how to protect against catalytic converter thefts and car break-ins on Thursday, March 9 at 7pm at the Athletic Club. Please register at the Addison Athletic Club front desk.
You can watch Council's catalytic converter discussion here and read the presentation here.
