HOULTON, Maine — The Houlton Police Department has put out an advisory notice to business owners and other community members, warning of an uptick in thefts of catalytic converters from vehicles across Aroostook County.
The HPD said that no such activity has been reported in the Houlton area, but it would be increasing its efforts to monitor areas where such thefts are likely to occur, such as schools, parking lots and vehicle sales locations.
“In an attempt to take a proactive approach, HPD is bringing this to your awareness and ask that we collaborate in avoiding this type of crime in our community,” Houlton Police Chief Tim DeLuca said in a written statement. “In addition, we ask that you report anything suspicious in your lots and adjust your cameras, if equipped, in areas that may be more secluded from public view.”
Commander Joey Seeley of the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office said that while most of the recently reported convertor thefts were in the central Aroostook area, there had been some thefts that had occurred in southern Aroostook as well.
“It’s a cycle that’s gone on for years,” Seeley said. “Basically they take the converters to different places to try to sell them.”
Seeley said the incidents where most of the thefts had occurred were in Presque Isle, Caribou, Woodland and Blaine, all located in central Aroostook.
Catalytic converters help gases emitted from the vehicle’s exhaust become less toxic in order to keep up with environmental regulations.
Along with the increased police vigilance, state legislation is looking to prevent further thefts by limiting the sale of converters. According to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, it has been unlawful for any person to sell, offer for sale, advertise or install any used, recycled, or salvaged catalytic converter on any vehicle in Maine since June 2018.
