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Converter Theft Cripples Michigan City School Buses as Loaners Set Up Full Return

Police cite scrap value as the likely motive, urging tips to advance the investigation.

Overview

  • An employee discovered at about 5:25 a.m. Tuesday that roughly 20 to 25 catalytic converters had been stolen from Michigan City Area Schools buses at the district’s transportation facility.
  • MCAS canceled in-person classes Tuesday, returned elementary students to classrooms Wednesday, and kept middle and high school students on synchronous eLearning.
  • Loaner buses from Elkhart, La Porte, Merrillville, New Prairie, South Central, and Warsaw districts are enabling a full in-person schedule on Thursday, Aug. 21, and Friday, Aug. 22.
  • Michigan City police asked anyone with information to contact Cpl. Adam Brinkman at 219-874-3221 ext. 1088 or abrinkman@emichigancity.com.
  • Officials note converters can fetch about $500 to $900 each for scrap, and the theft disrupted the district of roughly 5,000 students during its fifth day of school.