MENASHA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Menasha police say they are investigating the theft of stolen catalytic converters from Lamers Bus Lines’ Fox Cities location.
The company says five converters were taken from the location over the weekend.
Officer Dan Hoernke with Menasha Police Department says a report came in around 6 a.m. Monday.
“Lamers Bus Lines up on Novak Drive in our city discovered that they were the victim of some catalytic converter thefts from their buses,” said Hoernke. “Five to be exact.”
Hoernke says the company reported the thefts happened sometime between Friday night and Monday morning.
“All five were school buses,” said Hoernke.
Thefts of catalytic converters in the Fox Valley is nothing new.
Busing was unavailable for students in the Oshkosh Area School District back in September, after catalytic converters were stolen from Kobussen buses.
“These catalytic converters are being cut off because they’re built with some precious metals that retail to scrappers,” said Hoernke.
Nick Maher, owner of Anyone Rides Wisco, an auto dealer and repair shop, tells FOX 11 converters can go for big bucks.
“They can go from anywhere from $600 to $6,000. That’s just to buy the part — that’s not even paying the technician to weld it in or bolt it in.”
He says his shop has put in new converters at least twice a month for the last two years.
“And it’s only getting more popular. It’s not what you think — it’s not out in the country, it’s right here in town.”
Maher says it’s easy to tell if a catalytic converter is taken off your vehicle.
“You’ll start it up, and it’ll be loud — so loud you probably won’t drive it.”
When it comes to preventing catalytic converter thefts, Hoernke has some advice.
“One prevention measure I’ve kind of recommended to different bus lines in the area is to use some type of high temperature spray paint to mark their catalytic converters so they can identify them if they are stolen.”
FOX 11 reached out to Lamers. The company says the thefts did not affect the routes or services Lamers provides. Lamers is currently working with police and has nothing more to say at this time.
When asked about a suspect, police say they can’t share any more details, as the investigation remains ongoing.
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