INDIANAPOLIS — A automotive dealership on the west facet of Indianapolis is out 1000’s of {dollars} due to thieves focusing on catalytic converters.
Early Sunday morning, AMS Cars had 9 catalytic converters lower off of automobiles of their lot. Sam Sodhi, supervisor of AMS Cars advised News 8 this occurs typically.
“Every other month,” he stated.
Sodhi stated this theft is without doubt one of the worst they’ve skilled. The whole factor was caught on their safety cameras.
The video exhibits somebody in-between their vehicles and crawling underneath them. You can see sparks flying from the place they lower the catalytic converters off underneath the vehicles.
A neighboring business referred to as 911 when their safety digital camera system despatched them an alert. Minutes later, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department could be seen arriving and arresting one of many two suspects.
Collin Rushton is charged with felony theft in connection to the alleged theft. Police are nonetheless on the lookout for a second suspect who ran away from the scene after they arrived.
IMPD advised News 8 catalytic converter thefts are a constant downside.
“It’s been on our radar for some time now,” stated IMPD Public Information Officer William Young.
It’s not straightforward to catch the thieves as a result of the automotive components are onerous to match with the crime, “It is extremely difficult, because they don’t have a VIN number, a Vehicle Identification number,” Young stated.
Car house owners can have their catalytic converters painted and engraved with the VIN quantity so it’s simpler for IMPD to trace. This case was completely different as a result of they have been in a position to catch the suspect within the act.
“It’s always good to have good neighbors. Well lit areas. Camera footage is always good so that we can be able to track down these individuals and I think in this particular case that’s exactly what happened,” Young stated.
Sodhi says they’re glad the they have been caught, however their business will nonetheless need to pay a hefty value to repair the vehicles and get them prepared on the market.
“About 1500 bucks a piece plus labor,” he stated.
That equates to roughly $13,000.