A catalytic converter recently was removed from a car parked outside Hilltop Manor, a senior living community at 11 Hilltop Village Center Drive. It appeared to take just two minutes for the culprit to steal the converter, Eureka Police reported.
The victim previously had a converter stolen off the car at the same location, police reported.
The second incident occurred on March 11, after the victim parked her 2008 Toyota Prius near the entrance of Hilltop Manor at about 9 p.m. Surveillance footage showed that at about 10:15 p.m., a red car with non-functioning brake lights parked next to the Prius and someone got out of the back passenger seat and got under the Prius. Two minutes later, the suspect got back into the red car, which then left the lot, the report said.
The cost to replace the converter was estimated at $2,800, according to the report.
As of March 25, the converter had not been recovered, and the person seen in the surveillance video had not been identified, Lt. Michael Werges said. Anyone with information about the incident should call Eureka Police at 636-938-6600.