Thieves Stealing Catalytic Converters From Cars

Imagine waking up one morning, going out to your car to start out for work. When you turn the ignition, the exhaust makes a loud rumbling noise as if you no longer had a muffler. That happened to me about a year ago but I was not too surprised since someone had already attempted to steal my catalytic converter. However, this time they had succeeded.

Thieves target platinum in catalytic converter cores.

Catalytic converters are the targets of thieves because their cores contain platinum, a precious metal more valuable in today's market than gold, about $1120 an ounce in May 2009. Some also contain palladium, which is a sells for $225 an ounce. The converters have been required by the federal government on all vehicles sold since 1975 as devices to reduce automobile pollution

A thief can slide under a vehicle with a small battery powered reciprocating saw and make two quick cuts before and after the converter in less than two minutes. The converters are sold to recycling centers for $50 to $100 each and some cars have up to four converters. Repairs can range from $150 to $2000.

Police seldom make an arrest.

The police can do little since the crime occurs so quickly, and most vehicles are vulnerable, especially trucks with high ground clearance. Auto manufactures have not offered any solutions. Remaining alert and vigilant when parking is helpful, but it is not feasible to watch the vehicle all day. If you can park at the end of a row, it is easier to see beneath the vehicle and is less likely to be a target. Parking in remote areas is not a good idea.
　

Car alarms can be effective in preventing thefts, but many models do not have built in alarms. Purchasing and install an alarm starts at least $200. Parking in a protected area, such as a garage or fenced lot, is a good solution but is not always possible. Converters that are bolted to the underside of the vehicle can be spot welded in place so that the bolts cannot be removed, but most catalytic converters are only welded to the relatively thin pipe of the exhaust system.

"Converter cages" are available over the Internet.

At least one company has been selling a steel cage that fits around the converter making it impossible to cut free with a small handsaw. It sells "cat clamps" from its website, www.catclamp.com. The devices cost from $150 to $350 plus shipping. Just seeing one is likely to make any thief move on to an easier target.

The most satisfactory answer is likely to force recycling centers to be more responsible in paying for converters or any metal. States or local governments can require them to take ids and keep records of anyone being paid for recycled auto parts, especially catalytic converters.