Police say Chicago man stole catalytic converters

A Chicago man is facing felony theft charges after Schaumburg police said they found him stealing car parts from an auto dealership.

Schaumburg police Sgt. John Nebl said officers were patrolling a car dealership in the 1000 block of East Golf Road about 12:50 a.m. Monday when they saw numerous catalytic converters lying on the ground.

After shining their lights on the scene, police said, they saw a man take off running. Nebl said officers gave chase but lost track of him.

When the officers returned to the dealership, they found another man hiding under one of the cars, Nebl said.

After determining there was evidence he was involved in the thefts, the man was taken into custody, Nebl said.

Adrian Shackelford, 25, of 714 E. 89th St. in Chicago was charged with theft over $10,000. He was being held Wednesday on $30,000 bond and is next scheduled to appear in court Nov. 2.

In total, Nebl said, 56 catalytic converters, valued at $54,346, had been stolen from different vehicles throughout the dealership.

Police are looking for two other men who authorities believe were involved in the thefts.

While there has been a large rash of similar thefts in the area over the last few months, Nebl said police are not sure if they're all connected.

"It is entirely possible that several groups of people might be doing this type of thing," Nebl said.

Catalytic converters are used to reduce toxic emissions from a vehicle's engine.

Anyone with information on the thefts is asked to call Schaumburg police at (847) 882-3534.