Alert Issued About Recent Catalytic Converter Thefts

The following crime alert was issued by the Maple Grove Transit Administrator via email to residents Monday, June 4, 2012.

On Friday June 1, the City of received five reports that vehicles parked at the Maple Grove Transit Station, Parkway Station, and the Crosswinds park-and-ride lot had their catalytic converter cut-off from the exhaust system and stolen.  

There was an increasing trend of this kind of theft throughout Minnesota a few years back, but recently up until last Friday was a fairly rare occurrence.  Thieves sell the stolen catalytic converters to recyclers for the precious metals contained inside. SUVs and pick-ups are targeted most often with Toyota models leading the way. 

There are cameras that record activity at the Transit Station and Parkway Station, but only cover a fraction of the total square footage. The Maple Grove Police Department conducts regular patrols of the transit facilities, and that will continue. These current crimes are currently under investigation.

If you see any suspicious behavior or loitering in the ramp, please dial 9-1-1 "immediately". Even though the City has taken reasonable steps to limit crimes at the transit facilities, the City can't guarantee that theft or damage will not happen to your vehicle. In addition, the City is not responsible for theft or damage to vehicles parked Maple Grove Transit facilities.

If you have any general questions, please call the Transit Administrator at 763-494-6005 or transit@ci.maple-grove.mn.us