There are several forms of car theft, and one of the most talked about deals with people deciding to steal catalytic converters. Because of this, there is a massive black market for these all-important devices. Recently, two people who own a salvage yard were charged for having stolen converters after a traffic stop led back to them. 

The decision to steal a catalytic converter happens far more than most assume

According to Yahoo News, Brian and Amy Howard, who own Howard Salvaging in Bristol, Indiana, are facing charges of corrupt business influence. Specifically, authorities are charging them each with a level five felony. The report says the documents were filed on February 5th, and the warrants were issued the following day. They each have respective bonds for $50k. The charges were brought following an investigation by multiple Elkhart County law enforcement agencies that stemmed from a random police traffic stop. 

The report says the police pulled over a driver for a traffic stop on January 21, 2022. The driver told the police that they had sold a stolen catalytic converter to the salvage yard. The person showed them a receipt from the yard for $280. Apparently, Brian Howard had failed to ask for proper documentation when buying the device.

Naturally, the officers then went to the yard and found 500 of them. However, they later seized 1,018 catalytic converters from the site. Notably, many of them had been cut at both ends, which means someone had decided to steal the catalytic converters from the vehicles. 

It’s also important to note that Elkhart County, like many places, has been ravaged by car theft. Many thieves have been targeting catalytic converters, and this salvage yard seems to have been a factor. Over 100 had been stolen in the area leading up to the raid at the yard. The Howards reopened their business in March of 2022. At the time, they vowed not to buy catalytic converters without documentation.