Catalytic converter theft is at an all time high. The investment in tools for Cat Thieves is low, they can be stolen from many cars in just a few minutes, and the payout is high due to the precious metals inside the converter. Some municipalities are stepping up their actions against catalytic converter theft, including banning cash payments for catalytic converters at recycling yards and various anti-theft ask forces. Even so, many people wake up to a car that sounds much different than when they parked it, and find that they’ve been the victim of a Cat Burglar.
Some vehicles provide easier access to the catalytic converters than others. Toyota Camry, Prius and Rav4 are often victims, along with Honda Elements and CRVs. Trucks and SUV’s are often easy targets as well because their high ground clearance makes it easy to work underneath them. Vehicles that have their converters mounted high up in the car, just behind the engine, are less likely to be hit due to the increased difficulty of reaching the catalytic converters. If they are easily reached, a few cuts with a battery powered saw can remove a converter in a matter of minutes. If you hear power tools running late at night or early in the morning, it would be a good idea to call the authorities and report it. Legitimate construction doesn’t go on in the middle of the night.
The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department has provided these tips to reduce the possibility of becoming a victim of the Cat Burglars:
- Garage your Vehicle: If possible, park in a secured garage, driveway or fenced in area
- If you have to park outdoors, choose a well-lit area. Motion detector lights or continuous lighting over your parking spot may help
- If you have a bolt-on catalytic converter, the bolts can be welded shut. There are also devices that clamp on over the converter to restrict access.
- Etching a conveter with your license plate number can help police track down the converter in the event that it is stolen and recovered
In any case, converter theft is annoying and expensive for the car owner. Suggesting to your local representatives that they enact legislation to stop the easy payout for converters may help, as well as laws that would require valid ID and logging of converter recycling.