The theft of catalytic converters is becoming a big problem not just nationally but also locally.

Harrisonburg police say eight more catalytic converters were stolen over the weekend. They say the crimes occurred mostly at shopping plazas and parking lots.

A pair of women at the Valley Mall reported thefts last week. Then two additional cases were reported from parking lots belonging to James Madison University.

"A lot of times, many people walking around, and you see someone messing around with a car, and you try to justify why they're there, or you try to justify their existence. And, if it looks suspicious call it in," says Harrisonburg Police Lt. Kurt Boshart.

Catalytic converters are designed to reduce the toxicity of car emissions. Thieves are stealing them to sell the valuable platinum inside.