Catalytic converters

[yellowwoodII]

A couple of people I know had their Catalytic converters stolen from their cars recently from where they were parked in public places. This makes me nervous about leaving my hybrid in a safe place.
I am interested in how easy it must be for thieves to convert these into cash. I would think that law enforcement could find where these are sold?

[mahina]

1. I put a shield over mine and welded rebar

I mean my mechanics did
It cost about $300 and losing my catalytic converter cost me a week without transportation. Insurance covered hi the replacement but not the shield and they totaled out the value of my car and said rest of the cars insured but if the catalytic converter gets taken they’re not paying for it a second time. So I switched to progressive insurance which does cover it in case. It’s been a couple years now and no problem knock wood.

I’d put a shield on it asap.

[mitch96]

15. Yup, get a shield if you are worried. Thieves are opportunists.

If yours is hard to get, they move on to an easier target...
m

[ProfessorGAC]

17. Locks On Doors!

It doesn't really stop a thief from getting in, it just makes it inconvenient enough to look for a softer target.
To me, it seems stealing a cat converter is a lot of work for $200 (market value) of platinum.
What are the thieves getting? Thirty bucks?

[CentralMass]

2. It is a major problem here in Oregon. The police just made a major bust recently.

https://www.opb.org/article/2022/08/11/beaverton-police-arrest-portland-area-crime-ring-44000-catalytic-converters-trafficked/

[Tree Lady]

8. We kind of assumed that when

Our local Ford dealer put up a high security fence that would keep anyone out and I think its electric too.

I'm in Medford.

[CentralMass]

9. +1. I'm in sherwood now but had lived in Beaverton.

[Victor_c3]

3. If you're halfway literate you can easily recover whatever precious metals you want from a catalytic

converter.

If you have a pile of refined metal, there’s no telling where it came from.

[rownesheck]

4. I have yet to understand

who are these people selling the catalytic converters to? Who are they selling the precious metals to? Do they just walk up to a business and say, "Hey. Here's some catalytic converters I'm selling."? Or, "Hey, here's a bucket full of precious metals I found."? I think that would raise a bit of suspicion.

[hatrack]

5. They're selling to fences, just as a burglar or car thief would . .

Plenty of bent "entrepreneurs" out there. Always have been.

[rownesheck]

7. But what use

would someone get from a random bit of loose precious metals?

[Captain Zero]

11. They are desperate and many are addicts.

$5. $10.
Is fine if they are just trying to score a hit and get loaded.

[whopis01]

19. They are sold at junkyards and metal recycling facilities.

The reporting requirements for metal sales vary greatly from state to state. But in any case, something like a catalytic converter is fairly hard to trace.

I'm not making any blanket statement about junkyards and scrap metal dealers. The vast majority are above board and want nothing to do with illegal activities. But just like in every industry, there are ones who are happy to make a buck in less than ethical ways. And the people who make a living stealing stuff know the people to take it to.

[usonian]

6. It's a problem everywhere.

I was parked in a BART station, in the middle of the lot, visible from the raised platform, and regularly patrolled.

Thieves time the patrols, have a backpack like everyone else, roll under your car, cut off the converter (mine was unbolted ... I guess it's quieter) and saunter away.

Any cures I could think of probably would get me in more trouble than the thieves.

[maxsolomon]

10. Get the rebar welded on.

We had one stolen, and then we had thieves try again and fail - because of the rebar.

Cat Converters do get legitimately recycled - but not at this volume. Metal scrappers have to know they're buying stolen goods, but no one can prove they are.

[Chainfire]

12. My son lost the cats on two vehicles in one night. It cost a fortune to fix the mess they left.

He would have been better off just to give the thieves what they would get for the cats, and send them on their way.

[Raine]

13. It's epidemic here in Los Angeles County where I live. nt

[Imallin4Joe]

14. Do yourself a favor and have a good quality, hardened steel cat shield installed ASAP.

Rebar isn't always hardened/heat treated steel. It can often be sawed through.

Look for heat treated, hardened steel cat shields.

Pretty easy to find nowadays.

You'll sleep better, trust me!

[RANDYWILDMAN]

16. Car companies need to start numbering and tracking these parts

Thieves know this and that is why this part got hot for theft.

easy fix

[Demovictory9]

18. Had mine stolen

[Xolodno]

20. I know large SUV's are a prime target.

High clearance, so its easy to get under and they often have two. All you need to fence them is someone willing to look the other way.

[mn9driver]

21. Thieves are looking for a quick steal. Anything that slows them down will make it more likely

they will pass on your vehicle. The shields, cables or rebar are all worth the investment.