Filenews 12 November 2022 - by Michalis Hatzivasilis
Thefts of catalytic converters from vehicles have become a scourge, and already two people have gone so far as to commit an attempted murder to escape arrest. Citizens see in broad daylight criminals stealing before their eyes the catalysts of their vehicles, without being able to react.
Yesterday in Palouriotissa, defying the fact that it was 10:00 in the morning and they were visible, they got under a vehicle parked in an open area and removed the catalyst in the blink of an eye. A neighbour who saw their movements informed the Police, but by the time members of the Police arrived, the perpetrators disappeared.
As police spokesman Christos Andreou told "F", some people steal the catalysts either to resell them or to remove a very small amount of metal that exists in them and has some value. The entire duration of the removal operation takes only 30 seconds, since they own a special machine with a battery (dragon) such as the pruner and with sleight of hand remove the catalysts. Then they disappear and it is difficult to detect them. The catalysts cost several hundred euros to replace, and without them the vehicles, apart from the noise they emit, cannot pass the roadworthiness test.
According to police data, from the beginning of the year until 31/10/2022, 473 thefts of catalysts were reported and 44 arrests of suspects were made. Most of them occurred in Larnaca, since of the 473, 177 that brought 20 arrests were mad. Another 149 cases with eight arrests were made in Nicosia. In Limassol, 130 thefts of catalysts were reported while 14 arrests of suspects were made, in Famagusta another nine without any arrest, in Paphos six, also without arrest and in Morphou two complaints with two arrests.
It is noted that last Saturday, in an area of Larnaca, citizens had noticed two men cutting off and stealing the catalyst from a parked car. The citizens moved towards the two suspects, who when they became aware of the presence of the citizens, entered a car and driving it backwards into the street, hit one of the citizens, a 34-year-old man, who was moving on foot on the street. The perpetrators fled the spot with their vehicle.
The 34-year-old was seriously injured in the face, chest and arm, where he suffered various fractures. He was transferred to Larnaca General Hospital, where he is being treated, in a serious but stable condition. In the case, two persons from Larnaca were arrested, who are facing a charge of attempted murder and have already been remanded in custody.
