A man previously involved in a ring of thieves who stole catalytic converters has been caught stealing catalytic converters, according to the Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier. 36 year old Shane Mehmen was the passenger in a vehicle pulled over by police at around 12:40 a.m. last Tuesday. Police say Mehmen’s clothes were stained and smelled of automotive fluids. Next to him was a freshly cut catalytic converter and a bag of saws and blades. He has been charged with third degree Theft and Possession of Burglary Tools. Mehmen was released from prison in January after being found to be a part of an at least 12 member crime ring responsible for stealing catalytic converters from vehicles at businesses including a school and a hospital. Catalytic converters are a frequent target for thieves who sell them for scrap metal because they contain small amounts of platinum and other precious metals.
