30 catalytic converters stolen in past 2 weeks in Atlanta area

ATLANTA (AP) - Authorities say more than 30 catalytic converters have been stolen from vehicles during the past two weeks in Atlanta and nearby Decatur.

Police suspect the platinum in the devices is behind the crime spree.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that platinum is reselling now for roughly $50 a gram. Police suspect the thieves are looking to sell the precious metal on the black market.

A catalytic converter is a part of a vehicle that changes the poisonous exhaust from an engine into safer compounds.

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