Man Arrested for Catalytic Converter Thefts in Palatine Parking Garage

Scott Gilmore, 37, of Chicago was arrested in connection to the rash of catalytic converter thefts from a Village parking garage, the Palatine Police Department reports. 

In response to the spike in thefts of catalytic converters from the Gateway Center parking garage, Palatine officers, dressed in street clothes, kept an eye on vehicles parked in the garage at 251 W. Colfax.

While conducting surveillance, undercover officers observed Gilmore ride into the garage on a bicycle around 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9.

According to police, Gilmore parked the bike and crawled under a 2008 Lexus SUV and attempted to remove the catalytic converter, part of the exhaust system that's located underneath the vehicle.

Caught in the act, Gilmore was holding a saw and a backpack containing 19 replacement blades when confronted by police in the garage.

Gilmore was transported to police headquarters where police said the 37-year-old gave a verbal and written statement implicating himself. Gilmore also admitted to stealing a catalytic converter from the same location Sunday, October 7. According to police, in that theft Gilmore crawled under a 2007 Lexus SUV and also removed the catalytic converter with a reciprocating saw.

Gilmore told police he took the converter to Chicago and gave it to an acquaintance to sell.

According to police reports, in the last month, several catalytic converters had been stolen, sawed off of Lexus and Toyota SUVs parked at the Gateway Center.

Palatine Police said Gilmore was uncooperative with investigators from Schaumburg and Arlington Heights who also interviewed him.

Charged with one count of Felony Theft and one count of Misdemeanor Attempted Theft, Gilmore was transported to the 3rd District Cook County Courthouse for a bond hearing Thursday.