STEVENS POINT, WI (WSAU) — Two men have been arrested after a report of catalytic converter thefts in Stevens Point.
Officers say it started at around 2:45 AM with a report of three males attempting to steal one of the valuable parts from a vehicle parked along Illinois Avenue. Officers were unable to make contact with the suspect at that time, but a vehicle matching the description was found about an hour later along Indiana Avenue.
Officers searched the vehicle and found two catalytic converters along with tools used to remove the parts and a car jack.
Arrested are 45-year-old Tao Vang and 35-year-old Bee Vang. Tao is being held on two outstanding felony warrants from Dunn County, Wisconsin and Hennepin County, Minnesota. Bee is being held for possession of meth.
A third suspect was released.
It’s unclear if the converters that were recovered came from vehicles in Stevens Point or elsewhere. It’s the second time in less than a month that police in Stevens Point have arrested a group of people for trying to steal the coveted parts.
RELATED: Three Arrested for Catalytic Converter Theft in Stevens Point
Catalytic converter thefts have been on the rise due to the value of the metals they contain. Legislation has been introduced in Madison that would require salvage yards to require proof of ownership and other records before purchasing the parts for recycling.
