Crime & Safety
Police Arrest Catalytic Converter Theft Suspects
Cops found five catalytic converters (an expensive auto part) in the suspects' van at the time of arrest.
Skokie police have arrested and charged two suspects in a string of thefts of catalytic converters from automobiles.
A catalytic converter is an expensive auto part which functions as an emissions control device.
The police department issued the following statement Wednesday evening:
On Tuesday, October 22, 2013, at 2:30 a.m., Skokie Police Officers observed a white mini-van on the 7300 block of Lawndale Ave. Officers quickly recognized the vehicle from a previous vehicle description reported being seen in Skokie during several catalytic converter thefts. Once Officers placed an investigative stop on the vehicle, they observed five catalytic converters covered by a tarp. A small power saw, which is used to remove the catalytic converters from the vehicles, was also located in the mini-van.
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Three suspects were apprehended at the scene. Upon further investigation, it was determined that two of the suspects committed the thefts from Park’s Plumbing, 8121 Lawndale Ave., Seven Star Trading, 8121 Monticello Ave., and Imperial Auto, 8030 Central Park, Skokie, Il
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Neal Benjamin, 25 years of age, 7545 North Winchester Ave, Chicago, IL, was charged with two counts of felony theft and one count of misdemeanor theft.
Norris Clark, 38 years of age, 7375 Winchester Ave, Chicago, IL, was charged with two counts of felony theft and one count of misdemeanor theft.
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The third suspect was released without charge due to insufficient evidence at the time of his arrest.
All of the suspects are scheduled to appear at the Second District Courthouse, Skokie, IL. Date, time, and bond amount are to be determined.
These charges are a direct result of keen investigative skills and dedicated police work by the Skokie Police Department.
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