Chapel Hill, N.C. — The University of North Carolina has posted campus police officers in the Chatham County park-and-ride and Friday Center parking lots after a rash of thefts from those locations.
In one week in June, 20 catalytic converters were stolen from cars parked in those lots, police said. They believe the thieves took the converters to sell for scrap. Catalytic converters contain small amounts of precious metals, including platinum, palladium and rhodium.
An on-duty campus officer will keep an eye on the parked cars temporarily. The university ultimately plans to have an off-duty officer pick up the parking patrol, so that others are not pulled away from their regular assignments
The university is also considering installing cameras in the lots to link to the existing security-camera system.
The thefts at UNC are the latest in a string of crimes police believe are executed to get money from scrap metal.
Dozens of metal vases disappeared from cemeteries in Wake and Johnston counties. Copper coils were ripped from air conditioning units, and hundreds of feet of copper cable that was stolen in Durham knocked out phone and Internet service to part of the city. Storm sewer grates were plucked from city streets.
Raleigh police said nine converters were stolen from vehicles at an automotive repair shop in June, and another five were taken from vehicles at a car dealership. Thirty-six converters have been reported stolen in Durham this year.
Related Items
Video
Related Stories
- Thieves convert converters to cash
- Catalytic Converter Thieves Strike Again
- 31 Catalytic Converters Stolen in Raleigh
On The Web
![[search]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/presentation/v1/images/icons/16x12/search-form-icon.gif)
Site Search
Thefts prompt UNC police to patrol parking lots
- Reporter: Erin Hartness
News Alerts to your Email & Cell Phone21 Comments
-
- Wake schools: Higher gang numbers don't tell full story
Updated 12 minutes ago |
- Coyote reports on the rise in the state
Updated at 5:52 p.m. | - Former N.C. State student pleads guilty in bicyclist's death
Updated at 5:30 p.m. | - Progress Energy, city named in wrongful death suit
Updated 9 minutes ago | - Some Wake schools have little space for new students
Updated 23 minutes ago |
- Wake schools: Higher gang numbers don't tell full story
- Most Viewed Slideshows
- Michael Phelps at the 2008 Olympics
Aug. 17, 2008 - Pet Photos | August 18 - August 24, 2008
Updated at 4:25 p.m. - Tropical Storm Fay
Updated at 5:26 p.m.
- Michael Phelps at the 2008 Olympics
STORIES
VIDEOS
SLIDESHOWS
IMAGES
BLOG POSTS-
10 questions with Cary EMS Chief Steve CohenSteve Cohen answers your questions about saving lives and what to do in emergency situations.
-
10 questions with Veterinarian Dr. Page WagesDr. Wages answers your questions about food, health exams and saying goodbye to your pet.
-
10 questions with Duke Football Coach David CutcliffeCoach Cutcliffe answers your questions about game strategy, the Manning brothers and boisterous fans.
(26 votes) fake grass causing neighborhood flap
(14 votes) sampson county woman mistakenly jailed
(10 votes) halifax county girl, 16, reported missing
-
N.C. Drought Maps Time Lapse AnimationView a time lapse animation of drought conditions since April of 2007.
-
Michael Phelps at the 2008 OlympicsThe images of swimmer Michael Phelps, who won eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.Images of swimmer Michael Phelps, who won eight gold…
-
The week in photosThe week's top stories in news and sports through the lenses of Associated Press photographers.
-
The week in entertainment photosA look at the top entertainment stories this week through the lenses of Associated Press photographers.
-
Images of the 2008 Beijing OlympicsKeep up with your favorite athletes and moments of the 29th Olympiad through the lens of those that are right alongside the action as it happens.
Welcome to GOLO, where WRAL.com visitors can comment on stories and create profile pages, blogs and photo galleries.
You must be a registered WRAL.com user to use these tools. Click here to register or log in.