Connecticut ranks eighth in the country for the most stolen catalytic converters, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).
The thieves stole vehicles parked in apartment complexes, school bus yards, and even school parking lots.
Now, the Connecticut Senate and House have passed legislation that lawmakers hope will help.
He Bill 6796 The House will allow Connecticut to make agreements with neighboring states to establish a regional approach to combating catalytic converter thefts. The bill would also establish a task force to evaluate the laws.
The United States Attorney’s Office in Boston announced the arrest of a regional robbery and theft gang allegedly responsible for stealing more than 470 catalytic converters from vehicles in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
State Rep. Liz Linehan, who represents Cheshire, Hamden and Wallingford, wrote in a statement:
“After legislation was passed in 2022, it became increasingly important to align our efforts with neighboring states, as the small size of the states in the Northeast Corridor provide quick and easy access for the sale of stolen goods. I am pleased that the legislature has taken this important step to combat catalytic converter theft by working collaboratively with our neighbors to slow the movement of stolen goods across state lines.”
There were 82 catalytic converter thefts in Connecticut in 2020, according to the NICB. In 2021, there were more than 10 times that number with 860 thefts and 1,184 in 2022.
This most recent legislation is waiting to be signed by Governor Ned Lamont.
