2 arrested after months-long theft spree of catalytic converters

FORT COLLINS, Colo. – A man and a woman were arrested in Fort Collins following a months-long investigation into hundreds of catalytic converters that were stolen across the Front Range.

Joshua Medley, 28, and Diedre Crawford, 26, were arrested in connection to approximately 102 catalytic converter thefts between September and December 2016.

Catalytic converters are components in a vehicle’s exhaust systems that help reduce carbon emissions. Thieves often target these components in order to harvest various metals for scrap resale, according to Fort Collins Police Services officials.

A total of 46 cases were reported to Fort Collins, Colorado State University and the Loveland Police Department during the four-month period.

The agencies then partnered to form a joint investigation after a Fort Collins Police Crime Analyst noticed the trend plaguing other Front Range communities.

Eventually, more than 13 agencies across the Front Range joined in the investigation.

Fort Collins Police say Medley was in the act of cutting off a catalytic converter in Aurora when a citizen noticed and chased him away.

In late December, police found two suspect vehicles at a Broomfield residence and linked both Medley and Crawford as the primary suspects in the theft spree.

Later, obtained search warrants and found more evidence inside their home linking them to the crime spree.

Medley and Crawford were arrested January 6 and charged with the thefts, which police say took place in Fort Collins, Loveland and Colorado Springs.

Police say additional charges are pending.

Fort Collins residents who were victims to catalytic converter thefts between September and December 2016 are encouraged to contact Officer Chris Renn at (970) 416-2385 if a report has not already been filed. Victims in other cities are asked to contact their local law enforcement agency to report these thefts.