WARREN, Ohio - A Warren catering business on Youngstown Road SE has become one of the latest victims of catalytic converter thefts.

The owner of Aulizio’s Catering and Banquet Center tells police loud exhaust noise emanated from two vans when employees started them up Friday afternoon.

Police figure someone cut off the vehicle’s catalytic converters sometime after the business closed the night before.

The owner, who estimates the total loss at $2,000, said he’ll turn over surveillance video to detectives.

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.