Tulsa Police: Catalytic Converters Stolen Off 5 OBI Mobile Blood Units

Tulsa Police are investigating after catalytic converters were stolen off five of Oklahoma Blood Institute's mobile blood units.

Oklahoma Blood Institute said they almost had to cancel some of their blood drives Tuesday because of it.

OBI said this is already a slow time of year for blood donations so they need every drive they can get, but when they started their mobile blood units this morning, they knew something was wrong.

"Does this individual have any idea that there are patients in hospitals, in Tulsa, in the whole state of Oklahoma who need these blood units?" said Director of Recruitment for Oklahoma Blood Institute Sandy Neuzil.

Neuzil said she woke up to a phone call saying the catalytic converters were stolen off five of their six VANS.

She said these vans are the backbone of OBI's mobile operation, used to transport employees, volunteers, and equipment all across the state.

"When something like this happens, it just shuts down your entire operation," said Neuzil. 

Tulsa Police Department's Riverside investigative unit said they've been getting five to six catalytic converter theft cases every day during the past month.

"We think that there's probably just one group that's doing this, but they're really costing our citizens a lot of money," said Tulsa Police Sgt. Ashley Loncarich. 

Loncarich said people can sell catalytic converters and make anywhere from $50 to a few hundred dollars in cash, but the victims are out up to a thousand dollars to replace them.

She said the thefts can happen in under two minutes.

"While most people are asleep preparing for their next workday, unfortunately these thieves are out there stealing what makes your car function,” said Loncarich.

OBI said they hope to have their vans back up and running by the end of the week. They said with hospitals reaching their limits, they need donations more than ever.

"We don't anticipate that we'll have to lose any of our mobile drives which is so critical right now especially given the fact that we are in the unique season when donations go down so we feel like we're going to be okay,” said Neuzil.

Tulsa Police said if you know anything that could help, call 918-596-COPS.