Catalytic converters targeted in Charles

The Charles County sheriff’s office says it’s increasing patrols around park and ride commuter lots after several catalytic converter thefts.

Authorities say there were three thefts on Thursday between 5 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the Route 205/Mattawoman Beantown Road lot and one theft at the La Plata lot.

Catalytic converters are small devices on cars that help control pollution and thieves sell them as scrap metal. Officials say thieves try to steal as many as they can at one location and target places where cars are parked for long periods.

Sheriff Rex W. Coffey says the goal is to have more officers in areas likely to be hit so they can make arrests.

-- Associated Press