We know the stealing of catalytic converters has been a serious issue here in Westchester. I am grateful that Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah announced the indictment of five men in connection with a stealing spree of 56 catalytic converters with a market value of more than $50,000. The indictments followed a year-long investigation conducted by 13 local law enforcement agencies.
The catalytic converters were stolen from Ford Econoline vans, Royal Coach Lines buses and school buses in Briarcliff, Greenburgh, Peekskill, Pelham and Yonkers between November, 2021 and March, 2022. These large vehicles are often targeted because their catalytic converters are especially costly, and because the height of these vehicles from the ground allows for easy access.
Last October, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation (S.9428/A.1940-E) that I supported, amending the Vehicle and Traffic Law to add catalytic converters as a major component vehicle part, requiring vehicle dismantlers to report every 60 days the number of catalytic converters they receive during that period. Failure to maintain or produce those records could lead to heavy fines. Additionally, new motor vehicle dealers and other qualified dealers will be required to stock catalytic converter etching kits to put a unique serial number on the components so they can be tracked if stolen. The kits will be provided at no more than the cost of the kit itself.
I am grateful to all of our law enforcement partners for their hard work addressing this issue.
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