According to the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Department, three converters were recently stolen from vehicles at a property on Lakeview Drive. Lexus RX. It is believed that this is driven by the value of the metals inside. How to prevent catalytic converter theft. The Toyota Prius is the most recognizable hybrid on the road—and that’s why it’s one of the vehicles catalytic converter thieves target the most. It’s this catalyst effect that transforms pollutants from the car’s engine into harmless carbon dioxide and water. Metropolitan Police statistics show 8,248 cat converters were stolen in the capital last year, a 455 per cent rise on the 1,484 stolen in 2018, which was up from just 174 in 2017. Then you may want to consider taking a few preventative measures, such as: Parking in well-lit areas or the garage when possible. A catalytic converter makes up part of the exhaust system; it processes the emissions from a combustion engine into less harmful gases. We may earn money from the links on this page. "Titanium, platinum, copper are some of the things that go into them," said Poutous. The Elk Grove, CA, Police Department recommends that you do the following: It’s also worth noting that you should park your car in the garage whenever possible. CarParts.com has an extensive selection of replacement catalytic converters built to meet the most stringent emissions standards. Because the gasoline-powered engine in the Prius (and most other hybrids) doesn’t run all of the time, the catalytic converter doesn’t have to work as hard. The theft of catalytic converters from cars isn’t a new crime, but it has increased significantly in recent times. Replacing a catalytic converter can run around $500 with insurance, $1,500 to $3,000 without insurance. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. But criminals go after the converters on some vehicles more than others. It's an old favorite among enterprising criminals and dishonest metal scrappers, but the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has brought this strange thievery back into the spotlight. Here’s how to prevent a catalytic converter theft from happening in the first place. The city of Louisville is experiencing an increase in catalytic converter thefts. Cody Burns, an owner of Hopkins Automotive in Spokane, said converters and other equipment were stolen on Wednesday night, resulting in a nearly $5,000 loss. Officers in Tameside say there's been an increase in … SUVs and trucks are particularly at risk, with late-model Toyotas and some Nissans being favorite targets. Photograph: YouTube Crime wave targeting models such as the Toyota Prius and Auris is a … Latest figures suggest that up to 1,000 catalytic converters are chopped from cars and vans by thieves each month in London. ). Police forces around the UK, including those in West Yorkshire, London and Nottinghamshire, are advising owners of any car fitted with a catalytic converter to take precautions.. Any car fitted with a catalytic converter could be at risk. Protecting your car from catalytic converter theft. Even a refurbished cat for a 20-year-old Volvo can run $500. Although no vehicle is safe from catalytic converter theft, some are targeted more than others. Mia Bevacqua, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician, United States’ unemployment rate was 6.7%. Older cars use more precious metals and their catalytic converters are often easier to get to. Thieves are stealing catalytic converters out of cars for their precious metals 3,986 thefts in 2015, with California Priuses taking the biggest hit. Park close to building … Catalytic converters contain the precious metals rhodium, palladium, and platinum. Most of these products are designed to cover and protect the converter, making it more difficult for thieves to access. The metals are expensive, and thieves sell the converters to scrap yards for $150 to $200 per piece, depending on the size of the converter and the current rate on the metals inside it. Other popular cars with stolen converters are … Last week the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) circulated a notice saying over the past few weeks Santa Monica and other surrounding communities are experiencing a spike in catalytic converter theft. Last year, there were almost 13,000 recorded thefts of the devices, with Londoners particularly badly hit. Metropolitan Police statistics show 8,248 cat converters were stolen in the capital last year, a 455 per cent rise on the 1,484 stolen in 2018, which was up from just 174 in 2017. The motor insurer Admiral reports a recent increase in catalytic converter thefts with thieves looking for good quality parts from Japanese models such as the Honda Jazz, Toyota Prius, Toyota Auris and Lexus RX of all generations and ages. Within a couple of days, mine was stolen, as well (I didn’t get the $350 protective cover from a muffler repair shop in time). Toyota Auris. Theft. All catalytic converters contain valuable, precious metals that thieves want to get their hands on. You can also take some simple precautions to help deter catalytic converter thieves. That means it's illegal to swap a used converter straight out of another identical car, buy one from a junkyard, or fit a converter meant for a different car model. targeted vehicles that transport senior citizens. Police have warned catalytic converter thieves are on the prowl again - and they're targeting Toyotas and Hondas. Catalytic converters (commonly known as ‘cats’) contain up to seven grams of these metals, making them worth several hundred pounds on the black market. As a result, the converter is more likely to stay in better condition longer, thereby retaining more of its precious metals. Does the thought of catalytic converter theft keep you up at night? What’s Inside a Catalytic Converter That Thieves Want? Copyright ©2021 CarParts.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Over the past month, the Westside has experienced a spike in catalytic converter theft, with thieves targeting one specific make of car. Two of the three rare earth metals used in catalytic converters are worth more per ounce than gold. Protecting your car from catalytic converter theft. Platinum, after dipping during the March and April pandemic shutdowns, has been more stable. Which cars are most at threat? Megan Geuss - Sep 13, 2016 12:42 pm UTC CARS.COM — The National Insurance Crime Bureau is clearing the air on the latest trend in car-component theft: catalytic converters. The answer to why crooks steal catalytic converters is simple—cats are worth a lot of money. However, if you have any hybrid car you should take measures to protect it as thieves will target any car they can make money from. Fortunately, the searches also came up with an anti-theft device called the CatClamp Catalytic Converter Lock. Thieves in Topeka have targeted vehicles that transport senior citizens, according to WIBW-13, leading to nearly $20,000 in damages. Instead, all they have to do is slide beneath the truck and cut the converter off with a hacksaw or power tool. There are plenty of devices for sale online that are supposed to prevent catalytic converter theft. You may also want to check local news outlets and (if you have one) a neighborhood watch app. “We’ve had issues with theft before, not necessarily targeting catalytic converters,” Burns said. Cody Lutz, 22, is charged with felony theft. The financial hardship that has accompanied COVID-19 is one of the primary reasons for this surge. Recently there have been huge spikes in catalytic converter thefts from cars. "This type of theft was popular a few years ago but dwindled," said Aftanas. This is for two reasons. Park in well-lit areas. How To Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft: Since converter thieves tend to target cars at ideal locations, most prevention methods surround parking practices. Here are a few other ways you can prevent catalytic converter theft: Security camera. Each device can be traded into a scrap metal recycler for as much as $500. The shop has been working to stop catalytic converter thefts, but late Wednesday night the car parts were stolen off two cars in the shop parking lot. Because these vehicles have such a high ride height, crooks don’t even need to use a jack to get underneath. The National Insurance Crime Bureau, the prime data source for vehicle thefts reported to insurance companies, stopped tracking converter thefts after 2015. It costs you up to $2000 to replace a catalytic converter, and it is illegal to drive your car without one. New factory cats are usually $1000 minimum. An uptick in catalytic converter thefts has a lot of street parkers concerned. Depending on the make and model of a car, certain catalytic converters, like the ones under a … But the jury is still out on how well these “cat protection” devices actually work. Catalytic converters contain platinum, rhodium, and palladium. While you may not always be able to prevent catalytic converter theft, you can protect your wallet through your insurance policy. And because the exhaust is exposed beneath most cars, they’re often easy pickings for thieves. Admiral report that these cars are the most susceptible to catalytic converter theft: Honda Jazz. Usually done late at night when it is hard for cameras to catch details, thieves can hack a cat from under a car in under two minutes. "As a result, the data obtained by insurers tends to be underreported.". Catalytic converter thefts have dramatically increased with police forces reporting over six times the number of crimes in 2019. “They must have had a cordless saw and they were probably gone in two minutes,” Day said. Police departments have been reporting a general swell of catalytic converter thefts—which require but a few minutes and pipe cutter—that typically hit repair shops and businesses with ungaraged fleets. Latest figures suggest that up to 1,000 catalytic converters are chopped from cars and vans by thieves each month in London. The cars being targeted by catalytic converter thieves: Hybrid versions of Honda Jazz, Lexus RX and Toyota's Auris and Prius most at risk, warns insurer. A small number of travelling gangs are behind a huge surge in the lucrative theft of catalytic converters from cars, gardaí have said. Etch your vehicle’s license plate number or VIN number into the converter. Of course, you’ll want to keep in mind that the cost of the coverage and the deductible could add up to be more than that of a replacement cat. Megan Geuss - Sep 13, 2016 12:42 pm UTC But converter theft seems to happen far more often in major cities than in rural areas. In the pandemic era catalytic converter theft is spiking. What Happens When the Starter Solenoid Goes Bad? You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. At the time of this writing, Rhodium is worth over $19,000 per ounce, whereas gold is worth a little less than $1,900 per ounce. ). Muffler Tech now carries the latest in catalytic converter protection and asks that fleet owners or individuals with these Nissan NV200 vehicles take a stand against theft and get protected now. Together, these elements act as a catalyst—a chemical that starts a reaction without undergoing any change itself. For example, in Europe, converter thieves often go after hybrid versions of the Honda Jazz, Lexis RX, and Toyota Auris. In other words: Having your car’s catalytic converter stolen can be a significant financial burden. Engraving your car's VIM number into the catalytic converter (just don't do it while the cat is hot! Thefts of catalytic converter have become so popular in recent months because of their value and how easy they are to steal plus their lack of identification. Criminals are well-aware that the Toyota Prius is more likely to have a converter that’s still in good condition. Theft of catalytic converters from hybrid cars surges Toyota has seen a 2,000% rise in demand for parts for models that contain precious metals Toyota … One Prius owner and converter theft victim shared their story with The Mercury News: “Recently, people warned on Nextdoor that someone in my neighborhood in Oakland was stealing catalytic converters from Prii (evidently they are easy to take from certain Prius models). Catalytic converters aren’t cheap—it can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 to have a shop replace the catalytic converter on a Toyota Prius. She asks why her car has been targeted for this type of theft A screengrab from a YouTube video shows the apparent theft of a catalytic converter in east London. For example, in Wichita, Kansas, thieves swiped more than 500 catalytic converters in 2020. But replacing a cat isn't cheap. Here are 6 tips to prevent catalytic converter theft. Fit a device that is designed to stop catalytic converter theft – known as a cat lock or ‘cage clamp’. In December of 2020, the United States’ unemployment rate was 6.7%⁠—nearly double the pre-pandemic rate (3.5%) from February of the same year. This content is imported from {embed-name}. Police have warned catalytic converter thieves are on the prowl again - and they're targeting Toyotas and Hondas. In Toyota’s case it is second and third-generation Prius models (2004-2009 and 2009-2016 respectively) and second-generation Auris Hybrids (2012-2018) which have been particular targets for thieves. Engraving your car's VIM number into the catalytic converter (just don't do it while the cat is hot! Our car experts choose every product we feature. His catalytic converter was cut right out of the exhaust. In Lynchburg, Virginia, police reported 31 thefts since September. So, before you rush out and buy a cat protection device, check with friends and family to see whether they’ve heard about cat theft being a problem in your area. Add at least an hour of labor, and you're looking at a big bill—or risk your car being undrivable and awfully smelly. And because the exhaust is exposed beneath most cars, they’re often easy pickings for thieves. Owners with comprehensive coverage may also decline to report a catalytic-converter theft, said Lehman, if the total repair cost is roughly equal to their deductible (and to avoid a likely increase in the policy premium). Thieves are stealing catalytic converters out of cars for their precious metals 3,986 thefts in 2015, with California Priuses taking the biggest hit. This will make it easier to trace the cat if it’s stolen. Reader's Toyota Prius was targetted by thieves who stole the car's exhaust system. Owners of older vehicles tend to decline coverage for comprehensive damage, which would cover such a theft, because those insurance policies may be more expensive than their cars. Doing so will make it difficult to access the cat on the taller vehicle. I found a video of a similar Honda Accord getting its Cat stolen. How To Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft: Since converter thieves tend to target cars at ideal locations, most prevention methods surround parking practices. Since it's a critical emissions component, the EPA forbids the sale and installation of any used catalytic converter that hasn't been refurbished and certified by an approved manufacturer. AA insurance claims have gone up from 32 in 2018 to 393 in 2019. Park in a well-lit, highly visible area (near security cameras when possible). I went on Nextdoor and found someone up the street had been hit as well that same night.”. While platinum prices have remained fairly stable, there has been a sharp increase in the value of palladium. Any car fitted with a catalytic converter could be at risk. Replacing a stolen catalytic converter can cost more than £1,000, with the AA reporting that claims can reach as much as £3,000 depending on the damage caused when the part was removed. Honda told us: "Versions of Honda cars from 2008 onwards have been designed to house the catalytic converter where it cannot be reached by thieves with later versions having the catalytic converter bolted direct to the engine inside the engine bay. Start with total boredom and staggering unemployment, mix in tempting metal prices, and top off with slack law enforcement. While valuable car parts like wheels can be fitted with inexpensive locking bolts, there's not much you can do to prevent catalytic thefts besides parking the most vulnerable, high-clearance vehicles inside a garage and carrying a good insurance policy. In Wichita, Kansas, thieves stole "more than 500" catalytic converters in 2020 as compared to "fewer than 200" in 2019, according to KAKE ABC. Thefts of catalytic converters from the underside of cars in 2019 rose to 13,000 reported cases in England and Wales - up from 2,000 the year previous, according to a new investigation. The Top 3 Signs of a Bad Driveshaft: Is it Time to Get a Replacement? Criminals are well-aware that the Toyota Prius is more likely to have a converter that’s still in good condition. Park close to building entrances or the nearest road in public parking lots. That’s … An epidemic of catalytic converter theft, largely from hybrid petrol/electric cars, is now becoming a major insurance headache for their owners. Older cars use more precious metals and their catalytic converters are often easier to get to. The model you have has the catalytic converter in the engine bay rather than underneath the car – where it is much more secure. Because a Toyota Prius converter takes longer to burn out the precious metals, higher prices are paid for Prius items. Exact thefts are unknown. Catalytic Converter theft has become popular because of their value, relative ease to steal (unbolt or cut out), and their lack of identifying markings. ", "While these thefts occur frequently, it is difficult to track these thefts accurately," Tully Lehman, NICB public affairs manager, told Car and Driver. Palladium spot prices are currently more than $2300 (gold is about $1900), a 20 percent increase since January, according to Oklahoma metal dealer APMEX. Do a search and you'll find reports everywhere. An enclosed parking place is an effective defense against cat theft. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, This Week in Cars: Raptor R, and the Blackwings, Fastest Lap Times for $35K: Window Shop with C/D, Jeep Recalls 43,000 Manual Wranglers, Gladiators, 2022 Nissan Frontier Enters the Modern Age, 2022 Nissan Pathfinder Adds Features, Ditches CVT, Meguiar's Shows Off Its New Car-Cleaning Products, Report: Apple and Kia are Close to Making a Deal. Comes as no surprise that catalytic converter thieves often go after the converters on some vehicles more than...., other hybrid models … Protecting your car from catalytic converter is located in a well-lit, visible! I.E., trucks and SUVs fit a device that is designed to stop catalytic converter theft seems to far! Since converter thieves tend to target cars at ideal locations, most prevention surround... A cup of coffee SUVs and trucks are particularly at risk inside converters—is! 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