Interim Chief of the Portland Police Department is F. Heath Gorham.

Between February 11 and April 11, there were 12 reported thefts or attempted thefts of catalytic converters from vehicles.  As Portland Police Detectives continue to investigate these cases, the department is urging vehicle and fleet owners to monitor where their vehicles are parked.

The majority of these thefts have ocurred in parking lots that are not well lit and have almost no security camera coverage,

Most owners report that thefts have occurred when vehicles are left unattended for several days;

Larger vehicles – box and commercial trucks and vans – as well as hybrid vehicles are apparently being targeted.

If anyone has any information that could help police, please call (207) 874-8575.