Shreveport police said once particular SUV model is being targeted by thieves stealing their catalytic converters.
The vehicles are mainly Toyota 4-Runners, police said. Six cases have been reported in southeast Shreveport and other cases have occurred in Bossier City and Caddo Parish.
Catalytic converter thefts are rising around the country because of the price of platinum, one of the metals in a catalytic converter. Replacement of a catalytic converter costs several hundred dollars -- and more than $1,000 in a lot of models.
The Toyotas that are being targeted are pre-2006 models. Newer models have the catalytic converters at the manifold, making them nearly impossible to steal.
"While Toyotas are being targeted for their valuable metal, any car is susceptible to this type of theft," Police Department spokeswoman Kacee Hargrave said.
Police are asking for tips from the public Anyone with information regarding the thefts is asked to call Detective Roger Courtney at 673-6985 or Crime Stoppers at 673-7373.
;)
