Police in Williamsburg have charged three men with a series of catalytic converter thefts in what police say is a criminal trend in the Hampton Roads area.

Investigators say the catalytic converters are valuable as scrap metal because they contain platinum, and can sell for as much as a few hundred dollars each.

Catalytic converters are used to reduce pollution from vehicle emissions.

In addition to Williamsburg, police have reported thefts of catalytic converters in Mathews, Gloucester, York, Newport News, Hampton, James City County and Suffolk.

Williamsburg police have charged the three suspects with 16 felonies each, including grand larceny.