"It caused a little bit of an inconvenience," Reggie Smith of North East Christian Church said while pointing out the vehicles that had been hit in their parking lot.

Smith, the operations manager at the church, says Sunday morning pickup with church buses was complicated by thieves.

"We started them up and there was a noise;" Smith explained. He continued "First, we thought there was a problem with the muffler."

Smith says after trying another large bus and the mini van, they realized the catalyic converters had been stolen in three vehicles. They believe the crimes happened Thursday, while their biggest bus, which is still running properly, was gone. Now, the church is putting the pedal to the metal trying to amp up security.

"I just hate that it happened. Especially to a church of all places."

When the rubber meets the road, Smith says he wants the community to be aware that crimes like this are happening. Lexington Police are confirming they've investigated a number of cases just like this.

"It can happen at a home, a business. We need to look at that and say everybody needs to be covered more."

Folks at the church say the worst part is--whoever stole the converters likely won't get too much mileage out of them. They're only worth about 50 bucks a pop at a scrap yard.