Suspect Sought In String Of Catalytic Converter Thefts Across Howard County: Police

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Police are searching for a suspect wanted in connection to the theft of 23 catalytic converters off of vehicles in Howard County. The string of thefts dates back to November 2023 and include thefts that happened in Elkridge, Columbia, Jessup, Savage and Laure, according to the Howard County Police Department.

Jeremiah Welcher, 25, of Waldorf, has been charged with more than 60 total counts of theft, destruction of property, attempted theft, rogue and vagabond, and theft scheme. His photo can be seen at the end of this article. Detectives believe he also may be involved in a majority of the catalytic converter thefts in Howard County in recent months, the department stated.

"Welcher may be staying at different locations, including motels, in the area or in southern Maryland," the police department said.

Anyone with information about Welcher's whereabouts should contact police at 410-313-STOP or [email protected].

The catalytic converter is a part of a vehicle’s exhaust system that contains valuable metals and can be removed in less than two minutes. Once stolen, it can cost thousands of dollars to replace. This crime targets commercial and personal vehicles of any make and model, although catalytic converters in hybrid vehicles often contain a higher concentration of valuable metals and can be sold for more, according to the Howard County Police Department.

The police department shared additional information about how people and businesses can protect their vehicles from catalytic converter theft.

What can I do to protect my fleet of commercial trucks?

• If your trucks sit high off the ground, consider obstructing access by parking lower vehicles close by.
• Consider installing a license plate reader device on your property where fleets are stored to capture tag numbers of any vehicles that drive in or out.
• Look into getting motion-activated dash cameras to monitor your fleet vehicles at night. This can be an inexpensive but very successful tool.

What can I do to prevent having the catalytic converter stolen from my personal vehicle?

• Access is key. Make it as difficult as possible to get to the underside of your car or truck.
• In a residential area, park in a garage if your home has one. If not, park in well-lit areas. Install motion-sensing lights around your home.
• Install a protective plate or cage that covers your catalytic converter, or another protection device.
• Etch your vehicle's VIN number on the catalytic converter so that if it is stolen, it can be returned. It can also help police track and identify thieves. You can also consider painting the converter a bright color to make it easily identifiable and less appealing to thieves.
• Speak to your car dealership about a tilt sensor that activates the alarm if someone tries to jack up your vehicle.
• Whenever possible, back into parking spots close to fences, walls or curbs to reduce access under your vehicle.
• Remember that hybrids, like the Toyota Prius, are at particular risk, because their catalytic converters contain a higher concentration of precious metals. Trucks and SUVs that have higher ground clearance may also be targeted.

If your catalytic converter has been stolen, report it to police. You can call the non-emergency number at 410-313-2200 or 911 if the theft is in progress.