Theft of Catalytic Converters from Parking Lots at Rolling Meadows High School, Harper College

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Police from Rolling Meadows responded in the last week of January 2023 to reports of two catalytic converter thefts at a Rolling Meadows High School parking lot. The District 214 School Police Resource Officer team is recommending that students and staff back into parking spaces. The parking method makes it a little harder for thieves to maneuver under vehicles and remove the catalytic converter that is connected to pipes District 214 also reports that a campus safety team members and local police officers will be increasing patrols at school parking lots.

Police and school officials are warning students and staff not to interact with or confront thieves that are in the process of stealing a catalytic converter, or any individuals who seem to be suspicious. There are many instances of catalytic converter thieves being armed and willing to threaten people, aim guns at people, or even shoot at people who attempt to interfere with their criminal activity.

The location of the thefts, and the date and time of the theft were not initially released by authorities.




Also in January, the Harper College Police Department received reports of catalytic converter thefts on Monday, January 24, 2023. A possible suspect description was an unknown male wearing dark clothing and a black ski mask. This suspect left the area of Harper College Parking Lot 2 in a black sedan with tinted windows and license plates DL 5674. The black sedan appears to be a 2011 to 2015 Dodge Charger.

A witness reported seeing the suspect holding a large wrench or saw. A power reciprocating saw is a frequently selected tool of catalytic converter thieves. Surprising, many people don’t report hearing the saw during its use in a catalytic converter theft.

Black sedan (SOURCE: Harper College Police Department)
Black sedan (SOURCE: Harper College Police Department).

If you have any information, call the Harper College Police Department at 847-925-6330 or dial 9-1-1. Please report all suspicious persons, vehicles and activities.

Be aware. Similar thefts are occurring throughout the community.
Remember, “see something, say something.”

If you have questions, please contact Harper College Chief of Police John Lawson at [email protected] or 847-925-6330.

— Harper College Police Department

The vehicle with the same license plate number is also connected with catalytic thefts in Rolling Meadows, Joliet and Joliet Junior College.

The message from Harper College was sent out in an email.

Catalytic Converter theft letter from District 214 Associate Superintendent of Administrative Services Chris Uhle
Catalytic Converter theft letter from District 214 Associate Superintendent of Administrative Services Chris Uhle.




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