A Pennsylvania state lawmaker is proposing legislation to help crack down on catalytic converter
thefts. State officials say stealing those kinds of car components have increased dramatically in recent years as thieves re-sell the stolen piece to scrap dealers for their precious metals. Republican Representative Kathleen Tomlinson of Bucks County wants to change the law so that police can charge people with overall theft of catalytic converters, and not just being able to charge them only if they’re caught in the act.