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Mar 27, 2008 4:42 pm US/Eastern
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Salvage Yard Thieves Caught On Tape
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
A salvage yard turned into a treasure trove of tools and parts for two thieves.
It happened in Chase, Baltimore County.
Gigi Barnett reports workers at the yard say one of the hottest times on the black market was stolen.
Surveillance cameras at Doug's Salvage Yard in Chase keep a close eye on everything.
The cameras captured two men running through the garage Tuesday night. By the time they were finished, thousands of dollars in parts and tools were snatched.
"They looked through a photo album. Just taking their time, rooting," said Suzanne Olyphant, Doug's Salvage owner.
Olyphant says the theft has nearly halted business.
"I can't pull a transmission. I can't pull a fender. I can't pull a headlight. Basically, I'm shut down until we can replace his tools," said Olyphant.
The stolen tools belonged to the yard foreman, Chuck Garman.
"They just really took what they wanted. They got all of the brand names, stuff that was more money," said Garman.
He now only has two wrenches left.
"I'm sick to my stomach. It's a part of me. I've had those tools forever. For someone to just take them, it's unbelievable to me," said Garman.
But the most lucrative thing stolen were valuable car parts. The surveillance shows the men swiping about 35 used catalytic converters, a part that cleans harmful air pollutants in cars.
Olyphant says they're a treasure for thieves, who know their value.
There is platinum inside catalytic converters and thieves know they can yield thousands on the black market.
"It's quick money. Converters and tools. It's just quick money," said Garman.
Meanwhile, the salvage yard has turned in the tape to police. They will try to match names to faces caught on camera.
The catalytic converters could cost as much as $5,000. In Maryland it's illegal to buy or sell used catalytic converters.
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