Crime alert issued by UW-W on 12/18/19

UW-Whitewater Police and area agencies are investigating a number of thefts of catalytic converters from parked vehicles, including from the Whitewater campus parking lots. Toyota vehicles, particularly the Prius models, are the main targets; however, all vehicle owners are advised to remain alert.

If you have information on these thefts please contact University Police at 262-472-4660, you may remain anonymous.

If you see suspicious activity immediately contact University Police by calling 911.

University Police have increased patrols in parking lots and are working diligently to locate the individual(s) responsible for these thefts. Owners wishing to further protect their vehicles can implement theft deterrent devices such as the “Catstrap”. A link for this type of product can be found here: https://www.catstrap.net/

If you believe your vehicle’s catalytic converter has been tampered with while parked on campus, please contact the UW-Whitewater Police immediately and DON’T move the vehicle. 

The catalytic converter is a target for theft as it contains precious metals, including platinum and rhodium.

Criminals can steal the converter in a few quick steps and often go unchallenged by members of the public.

If your catalytic converter is stolen, you’ll know about it because your vehicle will sound different when the ignition is started.

They are often positioned on the underside and towards the front of the vehicle and can be removed by criminals in as little as five minutes with battery-operated tools.

Please feel free to contact University Police at 262-472-4660 or police@uww.edu, with any questions or information you may need.

Sincerely,
Chief Matt Kiederlen