More than 50,000 catalytic converters have been stolen from the U.S. by a group of thieves.
The theft is part of a larger scheme to steal more than 1.5 million pounds of rare metal from the United States. The stolen metal is used in a variety of ways, including to make batteries and to make parts for cars. The thieves have been arrested and are being held in custody, but no charges have yet been brought against them for the theft of the catalytic converter.