Men Accused In Darien Converter Thefts: Cops

Darien IL

02 March, 2022

11:08 AM

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DARIEN, IL — It's hard to catch people stealing catalytic converters from cars, which is usually done under the cover of darkness. On Feb. 11, Darien police were called shortly after 1 a.m. to the 7400 block of Brookdale Drive because of a reported theft in progress. When officers arrived, the suspects drove away, Deputy Police Chief Jason Norton said in an email. The vehicle they were in was discovered a few miles away, and officers were able to find three suspects in a nearby garage, Norton said. The men were charged in connection with the thefts of catalytic converters. They were identified as Michael Bates, 20; Cecil Edwards, 22; and Michael Wallace, 20, all of Chicago, police said. Downers Grove and Woodridge police helped the local police. Over the last couple of years, the metals in converters have become a lot more valuable, so thefts of the car parts have increased in the suburbs and elsewhere.