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With recent thefts of catalytic converters, Midland County Sheriff Myron Greene offers tips on keeping the part on your vehicle and out of thieves' possession.

Midland County elected officials, including Sheriff Myrone Greene, left, Clerk Ann Manary, middle, and Prosecutor J Dee Brooks, right, received wage increases in their 2022 salaries at the Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, May 17 in the County Services Building in Midland. (Photos Provided County of Midland)

A motorist might not even suspect that their vehicle's catalytic converter was stolen. That is, until they hear the loud engine sounds or sputtering when they accelerate.

Midland County Sheriff Myron Greene said the precious metals inside catalytic converters are tied to a surge in catalytic converter thefts. He said the platinum, palladium, and rhodium used in making the converters make them lucrative. Greene said they also contain copper and nickel, but those elements aren’t as valuable.

“The scrap yards buy them for the precious metals inside,” Greene said. “As the precious metal value goes up, the thefts go up.”

According to a report by National Insurance Crime Bureau, data nationwide show a skyrocketing increase in converter thefts. Reported converter thefts jumped from 1,298 in 2018 to 3,389 in 2019 to 14,433 in 2020 to more than 50,000 in 2021.

There have been three recent reports in Midland County of thefts of converters. Deputies responded about 10 p.m. on July 30 to the Jerome Township Park and Ride regarding a stolen converter. There were no suspects in the $400 theft.

Deputies were again called on Aug. 2 at about 12:23 p.m. to a Jerome Township residence regarding a stolen converter, again valued at about $400. There were no suspects.

The most recent theft was reported on Aug. 9 in Greendale Township. A 69-year-old Greendale Township male reported that a catalytic converter was stolen from his motor home. The replacement cost is approximately $1,200. There are no current suspects.

Greene said the thefts typically occur at night and in some cases take mere seconds to complete.

“It all depends on the (thief’s) experience. They can lift it in seconds with a cordless saw that rips through the exhaust pipe,” Greene said.

According to a report by National Insurance Crime Bureau, data nationwide show a skyrocketing increase in converter thefts. Reported converter thefts jumped from 1,298 in 2018 to 3,389 in 2019 to 14,433 in 2020 to more than 50,000 in 2021.

Jason Hull of Midland County said he ran out of gas on M-18 at night about a month ago in his 2000 Dodge Ram truck. He returned 15 minutes later with gas in hand, but eventually realized that his converter had been stolen.

“I didn’t know anything was wrong until I started it up,” Hull said. “I thought my muffler fell off. But sure enough, the converter was gone.”

Hull said the replacement cost him about $500 and he wonders what the thief got paid for the part. Converters can be covered by auto insurance, but the deductible may be higher than the replacement cost.

Greene said the thieves don’t just take one converter in at a time to sell. He said they scope locations and opportunities to take as many as they can - driveways, repair shops, auto dealers and just vehicles parked on the street. He said thievers look for an opportunity wherever it presents itself.

“They drive around at night and get a good number of them,” Greene said.

He encourages people to keep their vehicles in garages if they can. If not, they should keep them in well-lit areas and get motion lights. He recommends cameras that alert the owner that someone is around their vehicle. People should then call authorities.

The sheriff also notes that cutting though metal can make a lot of noise.

Michigan law requires vehicles to have catalytic converters.

Representatives of area scrap yards did not return phone calls made for this article.