Catalytic Converter Theft is Still a Huge Problem Across the Country
Thieves are committing catalytic converter theft and selling the car part for high profits.
Written by Alexandra Maloney
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
While the
catalytic converter
isn’t a widely known car part, it silently works as a crucial component to making sure your car is safe and efficient. This car part works to change harmful gasses that come from your car’s exhaust
—like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide—into less harmful gasses like carbon dioxide and water vapor. But in recent years, catalytic converter theft has been on the rise in the United States—and without your catalytic converter, your car won’t function properly. That’s why it’s important to do what you can to prevent any kind of
car theft
, including catalytic converter theft. What is catalytic converter theft?
Catalytic converter theft is when car thieves cut the catalytic converter out of your car’s exhaust. This type of car theft typically doesn’t set off any car alarms, and can be done quickly, making catalytic converters an easy target for thieves.
According to
ABC News
, one reason catalytic converter theft might be on the rise is because over the past two years, the price of metals they’re made out of has skyrocketed. Thieves can sell catalytic converters to scrap yards for anywhere from $50 to $300.Scrap yard workers then sell the car part to recycling facilities which reclaim the metal inside, creating a black market for converters. If your car’s catalytic converter gets stolen, it typically costs around $1,000 to replace. Not to mention, your vehicle is left undrivable until it’s fixed.
One police officer's solution to stop catalytic converter theft
With these kinds of thefts on the rise, one Washington State Police chief is taking matters into his own hands to protect his catalytic converter.
Chief Jason Houck of the Newcastle Police Department in Washington told
Fox 5 Vegas
he’s seen plenty of catalytic converter thefts in his small town. As a result, he did some research to learn how to make his very own catalytic converter cage.For under $40, Chief Houck bought wire cables and clamps. He then wrapped the wire cable around his car’s catalytic converter and car frame, and clamped them in place. His hope was to prevent thieves from being able to cut out the catalytic converter with all the additional hurdles in the way.
But, if you want to do this to your own car, Chief Houck urges drivers to be very careful to not hit the sensitive parts of the car’s exhaust.
Tips to prevent car theft
It’s important to protect your car against catalytic converter theft, as well as any other kinds of car theft. While sometimes it’s inevitable your car might be stolen or damaged by thieves, make it a habit to regularly practice these tips to help prevent car theft.
- Park your car in secure areas when possible, like your garage.
- If parking on the street or in a lot, park in well-lit areas.
- Invest in anti-theft devices or make one yourself, like Chief Houck.
- Always keep your doors and windows locked when not in the car.
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