Residents in a Merrick neighborhood say they have seen an increase in catalytic converter thefts this year.

Police said the latest incident happened early Friday morning. The car owner, who did not want to be named, told News 12 that it took only four minutes for the thieves to commit the crime.

He said it was the second time his car was targeted. The first incident happened five months ago. The most recent theft was caught on camera.

Three suspects can be seen in the video pulling up to the vehicle and quickly getting to work. They lift the car, climb underneath it, steal the converter before packing it up and quickly making their getaway.

The owner and his girlfriend said the sound of drilling woke them up before they realized what was happening and quickly dialed 911. No arrests have been made.

Another neighbor told News 12 that his converter was stolen in the spring. He said he spent thousands of dollars to replace it and his wife was also forced to miss some work because of the incident.

Several other neighbors told News 12 they've been hearing about these thefts more often over the past year.

While Nassau County police did not have exact numbers, they acknowledged there has been an increase in the last few years in catalytic converter thefts. They urge residents to stay vigilant and to immediately call them in the event they witness a theft.