Six Vehicles Vandalized at Springfield Park and Ride

Catalytic converters were stolen Thrusday from six cars in the Park and Ride lot at Old Keene Mill Road and Amherst Avenue in Springfield.

Fairfax County Police say the thefts occurred between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.  There are currently no suspects.  Anyone with information should contact the police on the non-emergency number 703-691-2131.

reported the cars were owned by residents of Springfield, Alexandria and Fairfax Station, and listed the models as:

• 2004 Lexus GS430
• 2005 Toyota RAV4
• 2003 Toyota Tacoma
• 2008 Toyota RAV4
• 2005 Honda CRV
• 2000 Chevrolet Astro Van

According to a New York Times article, catalytic converters are "an essential emissions-control device made with small amounts of metals more precious than gold."

"The catalytic converter is made with trace amounts of platinum, palladium and rhodium, which speed chemical reactions and help clean emissions at very high temperatures. Selling stolen converters to scrap yards or recyclers, a thief can net a couple of hundred dollars apiece," said the Times.