Arlington Heights police responded about 8:30 AM Tuesday May 26, 2026 to a delayed report of a catalytic converter theft at the parking lot of the Wheeling Township building 1616 North Arlington Heights Road Arlington Heights, IL. Police received a report that an unknown offender or offenders removed catalytic converters from two vehicles parked in the southeast corner of the south parking lot. One vehicle is a bus, and the other vehicle is a box truck used for the food pantry.
The two Wheeling Township vehicles, which are part of their fleet of vehicles, had catalytic converters stolen over the Memorial Day weekend between Friday, May 22, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. and Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. An employee advised at about 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, that as he started a vehicle, it sounded like “a tailpipe fell off”. At approximately 12:15 p.m. Tuesday, another employee observed wires on the ground underneath one of their trucks, and observed the catalytic converter stolen on the second vehicle. The last time both vehicles would’ve been used were on Friday, May 22, 2026 at approximately 3:00 p.m.
The first vehicle with its catalytic converter reported stolen was a 2025 Ford Econoline. The second vehicle with its catalytic converter reported stolen was a 2015 Ford E350.
Wheeling Township was advised of vulnerability assessments and recommended security measures.
Citizens are advised to keep a look out on the property for suspicious activity when passing by the Wheeling Township building. However, do not attempt to foil a suspected theft attempt. Call 9-1-1 and stay away from the immediate area if you see a crime in progress. Catalytic converter thieves, vehicle burglars, and vehicles thieves have been known to be armed during crimes in progress.
More Cardinal news Tuesday May 26, 2026 …
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A Bolingbrook food pantry had catalytic converters stolen on two separate occasions in late 2025, and had to pause operations after thieves stole their catalytic converters from their trucks (Jasmine Minor/ABC 7 Chicago). YouTube Tips ⓘ
