Waukegan man charged in string of catalytic converter thefts
A 32-year-old Waukegan man was charged by police in connection with a spike in catalytic converter thefts in Waukegan, Zion, Gurnee, southern Wisconsin and elsewhere.
Joseph M. Grana, of the 4100 block of Brentwood Lane, was charged by Waukegan Police with two felony counts of theft and three felony counts of criminal damage to property, according to the Lake County Clerk's website. Zion Police have charged him with two counts of felony theft and two counts of criminal damage to property, according to a Zion Police Department news release this week.
The Zion news release said more charges from other departments are anticipated.
Waukegan Police Cmdr. Joe Florip said catalytic converters were stolen from multiple vehicles in the last month. Florip said a small task force of officers was investigating the thefts and they identified Grana through that process.
Detectives from Zion and Waukegan worked together to find and arrest Grana on Tuesday, according to Zion Police.
Grana was interviewed by detectives and deputies from several law enforcement jurisdictions in Illinois and Wisconsin. So far, he has been charged only by Waukegan and Zion.
A catalytic converter is a vehicle exhaust emission control device that reduces toxic gases and pollutants in exhaust gas. The equipment can contain precious metals, including platinum, palladium, rhodium and gold.
Zion Police issued a news release this week regarding a string of catalytic converter thefts from parked cars in Waukegan, Gurnee, Zion, unincorporated areas of Lake County and parts of southern Wisconsin. The release said police believed offenders were working in pairs, with one person under the vehicle using a tool to cut out the part and the other keeping watch.
Florip said the investigation into the thefts remains open and active, and officers are following up on leads.
A judge Wednesday set Grana's bail at $500,000, which means he would need to post 10% or $50,000 to be released from jail on bond while the case is pending. He is held at Lake County jail, according to the county website.