More car parts stolen at commuter parking lots

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (WLS) -- Thieves are stealing expensive car parts from the commuter parking lots across the Chicago area.

The catalytic converter was stolen off of Steve Baez's SUV at the Pay-As-You-Park lot by the Lake Forest Metra station in December.

"The pipe is cleanly cut. Unbelievable. Here's the back. Here is the front. Cut it straight off," Baez said. "You feel so violated. Your car there, is sitting here all day, 10- 12 hours sometimes. All you can do is hope that the authorities are there driving around checking it out."

Baez reported the theft to the Lake Forest Police Department. Police officers who are responsible for patrolling the lot said there are no cameras and people who steal expensive car parts know how to do it quickly, Baez said.

"It would be great if they could put some more effort in putting signs up, once an hour patrol maybe. Put the word out," he said.

Recently, catalytic converters were stolen from a parking lot across form the 93rd Street Station. That lot is patrolled by Metra police and there's a police camera nearby. Police records show three similar incidents near the Hegewisch Metra station.

On Monday, Tanya Sawyer's center caps were stolen at the parking lot at the 115th Street Metra station. There are no cameras there, Metra said.

"I am really upset about it because I do not want to have to give up parking at this facility because it is the most convenient for me, coming from the south suburbs. However, I am not going to keep driving a vehicle where I can't have my center caps remaining on," Sawyer said.

A Metra spokesperson said police do their best to conduct random patrols with limited resources. To report an issue to the Metra police, call 312-322-2800.