Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Sgt. Daniel Kelly said several individuals have begun targeting cars for parts such as catalytic converters, which they then sell as scrap metal, The Indianapolis Star reported Saturday.

"There are a handful of people in the city who are serious about (stealing catalytic converters)," he said.

A food bank and a church were both targeted by scrap thieves last year, prompting authorities to increase the regulation of local scrap yards.

The most recent theft occurred Monday at the Summer Song ice cream distribution company, where 44 cars were torn apart by the scrap thieves.

Summer Song manager James Brennan told the Star the total cost to repair the cars could be more than $12,000, prompting the business to boost its security efforts.

"It puts us a little bit in a hole at the beginning of the season," he said. "I'm just going to sell extra ice cream, and we'll make it up."