Lisle police: Chicago men charged in catalytic converter theft

Three Chicago men have been charged in connection with a catalytic converter theft, Lisle police said Monday.

Rashaad Pipes, 29, Devonte Weekley, 28, and Marquise Dye, 29, were all charged with theft of essential motor vehicle parts, a Class 2 felony. Charges are pending against a fourth person, Lisle police said.

Early Saturday, Woodridge police received a 911 call about a suspicious noise at about 4:45 a.m. The caller reported hearing someone using a power tool under a parked vehicle on the 8300 block of Route 53, police said.

Before officers arrived, the caller reported a person removed a catalytic converter from the parked vehicle and drove away in a dark-colored sedan, police said.

Minutes later, Woodridge officers found the sedan traveling north on Route 53 and contacted Lisle officers to coordinate a traffic stop.

The sedan initially stopped near Route 53 and Maple Avenue but quickly sped away from officers, police said. The car was traveling in the wrong direction on an exit ramp before stopping on the 1500 block of Ogden Avenue.

Four people ran from the car but were quickly apprehended by responding officers, police said. A catalytic converter was found inside the vehicle, along with a reciprocating saw and multiple saw blades, according to Lisle police.

The crew is also accused of a similar theft in Lisle the day before, police said. The investigation is ongoing.

Catalytic converters often are targeted by thieves because the car parts contain valuable precious metals.

Officers from Woodridge, Darien and the DuPage County sheriff's office assisted the Lisle police.