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Although their chief purpose is to make the air we breathe cleaner, when a catalytic converter is stolen from a car, it makes the vehicle sound like a race engine. But thieves go after them because they contain minerals that some contend are worth more than gold. Thursday’s daily crime bulletin lists six converters stolen so far this week in Evanston, plus an attempt to steal another.

Evanston Cmdr. Ryan Glew said Thursday that the department is planning a fall marking event, whereby car owners, at no cost to them, can receive a mark on their vehicle’s converter that hopefully dissuades persons from stealing them. A date has not yet been confirmed for the event, he said.

In the meantime, he urges car owners to park their vehicles in a garage overnight, if possible.

THEFT 900 Michigan A 2012 and a 2011 Toyota were relieved of their catalytic converters in the 900 block of Michigan Avenue. They were removed between 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.

500 Michigan| A catalytic converter was removed from a 2012 Toyota in the 500 block of Michigan Avenue between 3 p.m. Tuesday and 3 p.m. Wednesday.

700 Judson A catalytic converter was removed from a 2011 Toyota in the 700 block of Judson Avenue between 4 a.m. and 4 p.m. Wednesday.

800 Hinman A catalytic converter was removed from a 2012 Toyota in the 800 block of Hinman Avenue around 1:20 p.m. Wednesday.

1600 Pitner A catalytic converter was removed from a 2015 Toyota in the 1600 block of Pitner Avenue between 3 p.m. Tuesday and 8:15 a.m. Wednesday.

1900 Orrington A catalytic converter was removed from a 2015 Toyota in the 1900 block of Orrington Avenue around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday.

1200 Central A thief unsuccessfully attempted to remove a catalytic converter from a 2011 Toyota in the 1200 block of Central Street at 4:22 a.m. Wednesday.

1700 Sherman A wallet was taken from a purse at a store in the 1700 block of Sherman Avenue at about 3:15 p.m. Wednesday.

2100 Green Bay A wallet and its contents were stolen from a purse at Walgreens Pharmacy in the 2100 block of Green Bay Road around noon on Tuesday.

900 Howard Musical instruments were taken from a store in the 900 block of Howard Street between 9 a.m. Sunday and 10 a.m. Wednesday.

BATTERY 606 Asbury Ryan A. Illg, 32, of 606 Asbury Ave., was arrested at that address at 12:36 a.m. Monday and charged with domestic battery.

BURGLARY 800 Main Miscellaneous items were stolen from an unlocked 2017 Mazda in the 800 block of Main Street at about 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

700 Custer A subject broke the rear window of a 2011 Toyota and gained access to the vehicle between 9:30 p.m. Tuesday and 2 p.m. Wednesday. Nothing was reported missing.

2300 Thayer A burglar ransacked the interior of a vehicle in the 2300 block of Thayer Street between 8 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Tuesday and stole a pair of gloves.

2700 McDaniel A burglar gained access to an unlocked residence in the 2700 block of McDaniel Avenue between 1 a.m. and 7:48 a.m. Tuesday and took vehicle keys and the two vehicles, a white 2016 Volkswagen and a silver 2017 Subaru.

TRAFFIC 743 Asbury Fredy Caal, 23, of 2731 S. Pulaski Ave., Chicago, and Margaret B. Norman, 63, of 9969 Linda, Des Plaines, were arrested at 743 Asbury Ave. around noon Wednesday and charged with traffic violations.

Incidents listed are among the official reports of the Evanston Police Department. An arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt, which can only be determined by a court of law. Court appearances take place in Cook County 2nd District Circuit Court in Skokie.

A resident of Evanston since 1975, Chuck Bartling holds a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University and has extensive experience as a reporter and editor for daily newspapers, radio... More by Charles Bartling

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