{"version":"1.0","provider_name":"The News Journal","provider_url":"https:\/\/qa.thenewsjournal.net","title":"Catalytic converter thefts continue to plague area &ndash; The News Journal","type":"rich","width":600,"height":338,"html":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"HBRsq5bnc9\"><a href=\"https:\/\/qa.thenewsjournal.net\/catalytic-converter-thefts-continue-to-plague-area\/\">Catalytic converter thefts continue to plague area<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/qa.thenewsjournal.net\/catalytic-converter-thefts-continue-to-plague-area\/embed\/#?secret=HBRsq5bnc9\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" title=\"&#8220;Catalytic converter thefts continue to plague area&#8221; &#8212; The News Journal\" data-secret=\"HBRsq5bnc9\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/* <![CDATA[ *\/\n\/*! This file is auto-generated *\/\n!function(d,l){\"use strict\";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&\"undefined\"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!\/[^a-zA-Z0-9]\/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),c=new RegExp(\"^https?:$\",\"i\"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display=\"none\";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute(\"style\"),\"height\"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):\"link\"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute(\"src\")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener(\"message\",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll(\"iframe.wp-embedded-content\"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute(\"data-secret\"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+=\"#?secret=\"+t,e.setAttribute(\"data-secret\",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:\"ready\",secret:t},\"*\")},!1)))}(window,document);\n\/* ]]> *\/\n<\/script>\n","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/qa.thenewsjournal.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Police-teaser.jpg","thumbnail_width":397,"thumbnail_height":265,"description":"Whitley County Constable Ron \u201cBubba\u201d Bowling is warning boaters using boat ramps around Laurel Lake that they could return from a day on the lake to find the catalytic converter cut off of their tow vehicle. Bowling said vehicles at the Flatwoods, Marsh Branch and High Top boat ramps have all been victimized. \u201cIt used to be that if you took your boat out on the lake, the most you had to worry about was someone breaking out a window, or stealing the change out of your cup holder,\u201d Bowling said. Bowling said the thieves have the equipment and tools necessary to target multiple vehicles. \u201cThey have creepers to roll under the vehicles and cordless tools,\u201d Bowling explained noting the thief will roll from one vehicle to another. Bowling said the victims only become aware when they start up the vehicle. \u201cIt will sound like your vehicle doesn\u2019t have an exhaust system,\u201d Bowling said. Bowling said multiple law enforcement agencies, including Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, the U.S. Forest Service and the sheriff\u2019s departments in Whitley and Laurel counties have stepped up patrols at the boat ramps. \u201cThe problem is these patrols are highly visible, so the thieves can just wait until they leave, or move on to a different location,\u201d Bowling said. \u201cThe officers cannot be everywhere at once.\u201d Bowling said in addition to the boat ramps, the thieves have been targeting U-Haul vehicles and are continuing to go after the catalytic converters on church vans and similar vehicles. \u201cDifferent vehicles have different converters, and different converters have different values,\u201d Bowling said. Bowling, who operates one of the local U-Haul rental locations, said U-Haul has begun putting cages around the exhaust system. Bowling said it is important for victims to contact law enforcement to report thefts. \u201cA lot of people are not reporting it,\u201d Bowling said noting that more people reporting the incident may provide law enforcement with additional leads. \u201cThere is such a demand for catalytic converters that we have to identify the source of the demand,\u201d Bowling said."}