YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Youngstown police are investigating several thefts of catalytic converters in the area, the latest which occurred on August 13 at Steel City Motors.

The owner of the business, Daniel Sincel, told officers that surveillance video shows three unknown males stealing five catalytic converters from five vehicles off the lot. 

Officers are still trying to identify the suspects.

According to the report, the five converters are worth $500. 

On August 9th, police took the report from a woman who said her catalytic converter was stolen. 

Five days before that, a Youngstown man said that an auto shop told him his catalytic converters had been stolen from his truck. 

The value of the converters totals $1,141.

Catalytic converters are valuable because they contain precious metals like platinum to create a chemical reaction that converts some toxic exhaust fumes into less harmful gas.