(La Porte County, IN) - Catalytic converters remain a hot commodity for thieves.

A 22-year-old man parked his pick-up truck at the Hampton Inn near the Indiana Toll Road north of La Porte on Friday, according to La Porte County Police. The following day, the man started the truck, which had a loud exhaust that it didn’t have when he parked his 2006 Ford F-150 there for an overnight stay. He looked underneath the vehicle and noticed the catalytic converter had been cut from the exhaust system.

Police said a 77-year-old Michigan City area man started his recreational vehicle the previous day, which also had a loud exhaust from the catalytic converter being removed. It was the first time he had started his 2001 Winnebago brand RV parked at his residence in the 4800 block of N. 600 West since the fall. The estimated loss in both cases was a combined $6,500.

Thieves are drawn to catalytic converters because of the value of the precious metals inside the exhausting cleaning devices.