It’s been awhile since news of catalytic converter theft was rampant, but it seems some are back in the game.

Earlier this week, the Troy 30-C School District in Illinois held two emergency e-learning days after catalytic converters were stolen from many of the district’s buses, according to an ABC7 Chicago report.

“This unfortunate act has rendered the majority of our buses inoperative, despite the implementation of robust security measures, including surveillance cameras, enhanced lighting, and secure fencing,” the district said in a statement.

The district fleets 65 buses. Thirty of those were affected by the theft — representing 80% of its large (Type C and D) buses. They are all Blue Bird gasoline models.

Sarah Wells, the district’s director of communications, said it’s the first time it’s happened to them, and called the event a nightmare.

Bus service was restored today thanks to the district’s bus dealer and school facilities team members. 

Central States Bus Sales helped locate 12 converters from Ohio. District team members drove there and back to bring the converters home. Central States Bus Sales was able to deliver the remaining ones needed.

Wells said the district keeps their buses in a bus barn at the back of the property. The thieves drove through the field to access the lot, parked by the fence, and climbed over. They seemed to know where the cameras were located as they avoided stealing from any buses in direct line of surveillance.

To prevent future incidents, the district plans to increase its number and quality of cameras in use, up the lighting in the area, and is working with its vendors on other tactics to increase security. 

A bright spot amid the trouble: A kind-hearted second grad student brought Girl Scout cookies to the mechanics working overtime on repairs to get the buses back in business.

The thieves’ work may have been for naught, after all. In July 2024, Illinois passed HB 4589 that requires anyone attempting a catalytic converter transaction to provide proof of ownership.

Earlier this month, an Illinois contractor also reported four catalytic converter thefts on its Blue Bird gasoline buses. Illinois Central School Bus said it will cost about $14,300. The buses were damaged as a result of the thieves cutting them out improperly. 

Regional Operations Manager Tim Stieber told the local news that school buses are easy targets because they’re raised higher off the ground. He believes in this incident that the thieves used a tree to hop the fence where the buses were stored.