A truck dealership in Crystal Lake has increased their reward for information after thieves stole over two dozen catalytic converters from trucks in their lot, a loss of $84,000.
The incident happened late last month at Signature Truck Center, 970 Pyott Road in Crystal Lake.
The Crystal Lake Police Department responded to the scene on August 29 after employees discovered the theft.
Signature Truck Center General Manager Dave Loucks said that 28 catalytic converters were cut off of vehicles in the lot.
This is the second theft of catalytic converters at the truck center in the last two years.
The loss of the 28 stolen catalytic converters is approximately $84,000.
The business was initially offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible.
The business has since increased the reward to $4,000.
Some of the stolen converters were electronically tagged, Loucks said.
Loucks said it may take a month or longer to obtain replacement parts for some of the trucks.
The business is adding nighttime security along with fencing, cameras, additional lighting and other security measures.
No one has been charged yet and the incident remains under investigation by the Crystal Lake Police Department.
Catalytic converters have been required in vehicles in the United States since 1975.
The parts are typically sold by thieves to scrapyards or online.
Catalytic converters are an expensive part of vehicles and typically cost owners $1,000 to $2,000 to replace.
Anyone who may have information relating to the theft is asked to contact the Crystal Lake Police Department at 815-356-3620.
Anonymous tips can also be sent to the Crystal Lake Police Department by texting the word CLPDTIP along with the tip information to 847411.