Harrison Keegan | Springfield News-Leader

Joe Jacquez and Mason Callejas, News-Leader

Since Thanksgiving, more than 80 victims have reported having the catalytic converter cut out of their vehicle while it's been parked in Springfield.

Those hit include Fisk Limousines and charities like Habitat for Humanity.

In the first 11 months of 2019, there were fewer than 10 catalytic converts stolen in the city.

So who is suddenly climbing under dozens of vehicles to steal their parts in Springfield? And why?

Let's start with the "why." Catalytic converters, which were added to cars' exhaust systems in the 1970s to help reduce pollution, contain some precious metals like platinum — which can be valuable at scrapyards. Plus, they are usually easy to access if a thief has some time and cover.

ROBERT F. BUKATY, ASSOCIATED PRESS

As for the "who," recently filed court documents say Springfield police believe they have caught at least one person involved in the recent spate, and Facebook might be the key to catching more.

Police say 29-year-old Matthew Griffin was caught early in the morning of Jan. 8 trying to steal the catalytic converter from underneath a Ford Explorer on the lot of Redline Motors on Kearney Street.

Catching someone in the act was a big break for Springfield Police Department detectives since police say whoever is behind the recent spike in catalytic converter thefts hasn't been selling the parts at metal recycling businesses in Springfield.

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So, when officers arrested Griffin, court documents say they pressed him for information.

Greene County Jail

Griffin allegedly denied being behind any of the other catalytic converter thefts in Springfield, but court documents say he offered the detective a tip: "check Facebook."

So police did just that.

According to a search warrant for Griffin's Facebook data, police proceeded to check Facebook Marketplace, where they found several postings from people who were offering to buy catalytic converters in the Springfield area.

Police say catalytic converters typically fetch $30 to $50 at a scrapyard, but it can cost victims more than $1,000 to have a new one installed.

Online records indicate Griffin has been behind bars since Jan. 8 waiting for a public defender to be appointed to his case. In the meantime, catalytic converter thefts have continued in Springfield.

The Salvation Army reported Thursday that catalytic converters had been stolen out of two of its box trucks, and the organization would be unable to pick up food donations until further notice.