OMAHA, Neb. — Prosecutors in Nebraska said an Omaha man has been stealing and selling catalytic converters for months. KETV in Omaha reports detectives believe Phillip Love has been caught on camera stealing and selling catalytic converters. Police said in one case, Love is seen on camera cutting one from under a car in just over a minute. Love was recently arrested in Carter Lake, Iowa on one case. Love has to pay $5,000 to get out of jail. If he’s convicted, he faces up to two years in jail.

Prosecutors revealed that a metal recycling shop in Carter Lake, Iowa helped link love to several thefts. That includes one stolen from a car parked at the University of Nebraska Omaha on June 5 or 6. Lakeside Auto Recyclers told police Love scrapped one between those days. Authorities said Lakeside has been cooperative with police in identifying the more than 50 sales love participated in. Still, they’re working to link those sales to thefts.

Officers add it’s not Love’s first time getting busted for this exact crime. In February, he was arrested for felony theft and possessing burglary tools. In 2022, the same crime, and he was sentenced to just over 220 days in jail. Police said they’ll continue to try to link Love to thefts around the area and say thieves often cross jurisdictions, so there’s much work to be done. In the meantime, they suggest people park in well-lit areas, and take the precautionary steps to try to reduce the chances of becoming a victim in the first place.