Police arrested two men in Flushing for allegedly sawing catalytic converters off multiple trucks in a U-Haul storage lot.
The device — which contains precious metals inside, like platinum — has been the target of a costly new citywide crime trend.
Dwayne Longmore, 31, and Neil Stephens, 33, were arrested Jan. 4 and charged with grand larceny for allegedly removing eight catalytic converters out of the 36-30 College Point Blvd. lot, police said.
The stolen devices totaled nearly $5,000, according to Crime Prevention Officer Anthony Lo Verme of the 109th Precinct.
Executive Officer Captain Tommy Ng said the precinct has not seen other catalytic converter thefts since the arrests.
The 111th Precinct, which reported a spike in November and December, is also experiencing a lull in the crime this month, though other grand larcenies are spiking, Crime Prevention Officer Luigi Galano said.
Car thefts and vehicle break-ins in Bayside have increased, as drivers are still leaving valuables unattended and in plain view.
“It’s enough for us to realize there’s a problem,” Galano said.
The crimes are taking place near the Bayside Gables and from Northern Boulevard to 35th Avenue.
The NYPD said parking in well-lit areas near traffic, being aware of surroundings and checking on cars, even while at home, could help avoid thefts.
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