Busing to resume Friday in Oshkosh Area School District after catalytic converter thefts

OSHKOSH, Wis. (WBAY) - UPDATE:

Busing will resume in the Oshkosh Area School District Friday after school buses were targeting by catalytic converter thieves this week.

“Kobussen is able to shift its buses that serve other school districts that are not in session tomorrow. Busing is expected to continue as normal next week. Kobussen is working to repair its buses,” reads a statement from the district.

There was no busing Thursday after thieves once again stole catalytic converters from school buses. A letter sent to Oshkosh families says families would have to make other plans to get students to and from school.

Co-curricular and field trip busing will continue as planned Thursday. Kobussen will be able to provide the small number of buses needed for a short time from other terminals.

Wednesday night, Kobussen had catalytic converters stolen from their entire fleet in Oshkosh. That includes buses brought in from other terminals to help after a theft earlier this week.

“While Kobussen had made every effort to resume regular busing for the OASD today, they have no option due to additional overnight thefts,” reads a letter sent to parents. “We understand this is a significant inconvenience and apologize for the disruption it causes you.”

On Wednesday, Action 2 News reported that catalytic converters were stolen off 11 buses at the company’s Oshkosh location on Omro Road earlier this week.

This caused a delay for students waiting to be picked up. The Oshkosh school district alerted parents about the incident, and eventually, all the kids did get to school as Kobussen brought in buses from other areas of the Fox Valley.

We’re told there are no images of a suspect, but investigators are looking into potential leads and the possibility of a group of people who are responsible. Anyone with information about the thefts or who might be responsible should contact local police.

Over the past few years, the theft of catalytic converters has been a growing crime across Northeast Wisconsin. This is the first time it’s delayed the start of school for a large number of local students.

1 p.m. - Oshkosh Area School District Busing Status Update

Busing to and from school will resume as normal tomorrow, Friday, September 30, in the Oshkosh Area School District. Kobussen is able to shift its buses that serve other school districts that are not in session tomorrow. Busing is expected to continue as normal next week. Kobussen is working to repair its buses.

Kobussen’s catalytic converter thefts first caused a delay for OASD busing on Wednesday, September 28. While Kobussen had made every effort to resume regular busing for the OASD today, additional catalytic converter thefts occurred overnight. This is an unfortunate situation and the OASD appreciates all that Kobussen is doing to manage and problem solve. The OASD also understands this is a significant inconvenience for families that receive and rely on district transportation for their children. Continued understanding and patience are appreciated.

About the OASD: Building community through education. The Oshkosh Area School District is located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, serving over 9,000 students and operating 13 elementary schools, five middle schools, two high schools, two charter schools, and an eAcademy. For more information, visit www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us.

9:15 a.m. - Oshkosh Area School District Busing Status Update

Oshkosh, WI - Due to catalytic converter thefts impacting Kobussen’s entire Oshkosh terminal, there will be no busing to or from school today, Thursday, September 29, for any Oshkosh Area School District students. Families that receive busing were informed of this situation earlier this morning and are asked to make other plans to get their children to and from school today.

The status of busing for Friday, September 30 will be announced later today, by 1 p.m.

Only co-curricular and field trip busing will occur today in the OASD. This is possible only because Kobussen will be able to bring the small number of buses needed for a short time from other terminals to temporarily meet these needs.

Kobussen’s catalytic converter thefts first caused a delay for OASD busing on Wednesday, September 28. While Kobussen had made every effort to resume regular busing for the OASD today, additional catalytic converter thefts occurred overnight. This is an unfortunate situation and the OASD appreciates all that Kobussen is doing to manage and problem solve. The OASD also understands this is a significant inconvenience for families that receive and rely on district transportation for their children. Continued understanding and patience are appreciated.

INITIAL REPORT

Some students in the Oshkosh area were late for class Wednesday morning after thieves targeted a bus company and stole a large number of catalytic converters.

The owner of Kobussen Buses tells Action 2 News that catalytic converters were stolen off 11 buses at the company’s Oshkosh location on Omro Rd. overnight, preventing drivers from getting on the road.

This caused a huge delay for students waiting to be picked up. The Oshkosh school district alerted parents about the incident, and eventually, all the kids did get to school as Kobussen brought in buses from other areas of the Fox Valley.

“We ran a few routes a little late, but we did get everybody to school. We have enough substitute buses that we made it work,” owner Dan Kobussen said.

Over the past few years, the theft of catalytic converters has been a growing crime across Northeast Wisconsin. This is the first time it’s delayed the start of school for a large number of local students.

We’re told there are no images of a suspect but investigators are looking into potential leads and whether it could be a group of people who are responsible. Anyone with information about the thefts or who might be responsible should contact local police.

With the extra buses from other facilities, Kobussen routes should be back on time, and we’re told students won’t face further delays Thursday morning because of this theft.

Kobussen says it’s been hit before in the past, even in smaller communities like Oconto.

“We’re doing the best we can with replacing the catalytic converters. We’re doing the best we can moving forward, put some more lights in the yard, and guard against anything happening,” Kobussen told us. “We’ve had issues other places and at other times with the same situation.”

On the black market, catalytic converters, which are part of the vehicle’s exhaust system, can sell for between $200 and $500 due to precious metals found inside them. Brand new, they cost around $1,200 apiece to replace.

“On the junkyard side, they need to be taking IDs and getting titles for these vehicles if they’re turning this stuff in -- and that’s the law, so they need to do that. On the other side of it just watch out for any suspicious behavior,” Kobussen said.

Cars, too, have been a target in the area. Area police agencies suggest if you can’t park in a garage, park near another vehicle that’s closer to the ground, limiting a thief’s space to crawl underneath your car. Mark your catalytic converter with brightly-colored spray paint. You can also pay a repair shop to etch your vehicle’s identification number (VIN) into the catalytic converter, or purchase a security device like a Cat-Rap.

Copyright 2022 WBAY. All rights reserved.