Nine catalytic converters stolen in Aurora since Sunday

Two people were interrupted trying to saw a catalytic converter off a minivan early Wednesday in west suburban Aurora, which has seen nine similar thefts over the past three days.

Witnesses told police they saw two men drive into an apartment complex parking lot in the 1000 block of North Farnsworth Avenue about 11:50 p.m. and kneel down to look under a Chevrolet Venture parked there, Aurora police said.

When one of the witnesses heard a saw, he went to see what was happening and apparently scared off the men, who got into a gray Dodge Charger and drove away, authorities said.

The Chevrolet had a fresh cut on the piping near the catalytic converter, authorities said.

Nine other cars have had catalytic converters cut off in Aurora since Sunday, many of in apartment complex parking lots, police said. Thieves target the devices because of the value of the metals they contain.

All of the thefts happened overnight, police said. Five of the vehicles were parked in the 1600 block of North Marywood Avenue, and two were in the 1200 block of Marywood Court.

One was targeted in the 1700 block of North Marywood, 1100 block of Tollview Avenue and 1000 block of North Farnsworth, police said.

The suspects are described as males about 5-foot-10 and 150 pounds. One was wearing a gray shirt and the other had a red T-shirt and black ski hat.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at (630) 256-5500 or Aurora Area Crime Stoppers at (630) 892-1000. Callers to crime stoppers are anonymous and may qualify for a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.