Thieves are targeting catalytic converters, a part of a vehicle's exhaust system, across the country. In this undated photo provided by the Utah Attorney General’s Office, catalytic converters are shown after being seized in a recent investigation. (Utah Attorney General's Office via AP)
Thieves are targeting catalytic converters, a part of a vehicle's exhaust system, across the country. In this undated photo provided by the Utah Attorney General’s Office, catalytic converters are shown after being seized in a recent investigation. (Utah Attorney General's Office via AP)
Across the country, in big cities, small towns and rural expanses, thieves are targeting auto parts — with a prime focus on catalytic converters.
Also known as CATs, the converters can fetch between $50 and $1,400, according to police departments and insurance agencies across the country.
From small towns like Anacortes to big cities like Chicago and Miami, CAT burglars have been on the rise stealing catalytic converters from dealerships, business parking lots and even the driveways of people’s homes.
The devices convert pollutants from motor vehicle engines into less-toxic emissions. They are stolen and sold to metal recyclers or, in some instances, body shops in need of auto parts.
“They are targeting the metals in the mufflers, which they can sell to a metal scrap dealer for around $200 to $400. They work fast and can steal the item in less than two minutes,” said Lt. Mike Budreau with the Medford Police Department in southern Oregon.
That city of more than 85,000 people saw 37 catalytic converter thefts in 2021 and nine more by spring 2022, Budreau said.
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, which tracks crimes reported to insurance companies, the number of reported catalytic converter thefts raced from roughly 1,300 in 2018 to more than 52,000 in 2021.
The trend appears to be continuing into 2022.
A suspected thief who officials say was armed was fatally shot by police in Sugar Land, Texas, near Houston on May 5.
The payout has made the risks worthwhile to some thieves.
The higher costs of metals due to inflation can make the materials more profitable.
Shortages of auto parts because of the impacts of the pandemic and supply chain problems could be driving some illegal demand for converters, law enforcement officials said. COVID shutdowns in China, inflation in the U.S. and unpredictable demand have hampered automotive supply chains worldwide — including for parts.
In Anacortes, there were at least 18 catalytic converter thefts reported in Anacortes as of late April.
Brent Lindquist, community service officer, said catalytic converter theft often is accomplished using a saw on the exhaust pipe, and at least one thief here has been doing it with a reciprocating saw.
The purpose of a catalytic converter is to reduce harmful types of emissions from cars. However, the converters are manufactured using precious metals such as rhodium or palladium, making them valuable to resell.
A vehicle will make a different sound when the engine is turned on when the catalytic converter has been removed, Lindquist said.
The Anacortes Police Department asks that anyone with information on local catalytic converter thefts contact the non-emergency dispatch line at 360-428-3211 and provide the case number 22-A00755.
Police in Las Vegas report that experienced crews can strip CATs quickly. Top targets include Ford and Chevrolet pickup trucks, Honda Accords, Jeep Patriots and Ford Econoline vans.
Some catalytic converter crooks are mobile and will move operations from state to state.
“We believe the suspects are from out of town and are taking the converters out of state,” said Todd Kleisner, deputy chief of police in Janesville, Wisconsin.
Kleisner has seen commercial trucks and hybrid vehicles such as the Toyota Prius targeted by thieves usually seeking money from metal recycling. Stolen hybrid converters can fetch as much as $1,400 in the underground auto parts market, according to other police and insurance agencies.
U.S. and NATO sanctions against Russia (and its ally Belarus) over the invasion of Ukraine have cut supplies of raw materials as well as auto parts worldwide.
“There have been rumors the converters are being sent overseas due to raw materials shortages over there,” Kleisner said.
The Cheyenne Police Department in Wyoming saw 116 converter thefts in 2021 and 19 in the early months of this year. Lightning-fast thieves are targeting commercial and personal vehicles.
“This criminal activity can take place during the day or at night. Thieves will crawl underneath the vehicle and cut the converter out with a saw – some have gotten so good at removing them, that it can be done within minutes,” said Detective Bureau Lt. Adam DeBall with the Cheyenne Police Department. “In most cases, you won’t know this has happened until you start your car.”
Law enforcement in Wyoming, Oregon and other states are working with recycling centers to combat the theft rings but are making a limited number of arrests.
Replacing a catalytic converter can cost $1,000 to $3,000, according to NICB and the Maryland Vehicle Theft Prevention Council.
Police in Yonkers, New York, have seen a rise in converter thefts with rings coming from the Bronx and other boroughs of nearby New York City.
Dean Politopouous with the Yonkers Police Department said law enforcement agencies there are trying to raise public awareness how thieves find their targets.
Politopouous said thieves can make off with converter in two minutes and fetch “several hundred dollars.”
“Easy money,” he said of the motivations for the thefts. Police, meanwhile, are concerned about reductions in pre-trial detainments for defendants facing other criminal charges.
In the Northeast, thieves have targeted Hondas, Nissans and Toyotas. Other parts of the country have seen CAT thieves go after hybrids, trucks and vans.
“If you hear power or cutting tools outside during night hours, it’s probably a CAT theft, and (you) should notify the local police,” Politopouous said.
The boom in these thefts has spawned a cottage industry of anti-theft products.
The Toledo, Ohio-based CAT Clamp has locking converter cages that range in price from $181 to $920.
Cat Security near Sacramento offers anti-theft shields for Honda, Nissan, Toyota and Chevrolet vehicles between $190 and $500.
MillerCat of Santa Clara, California, sells a line of anti-theft locking devices for hybrids and popular models for between $75 and $570.
In Texas, a company called Converter Guard offers an etching set and will put a car’s CAT into a national database for $249.
In New York state, which has seen a 200% increase in thefts of the emissions control device, officials have also launched a new etching and registration effort with help from car dealers and police.
“The sharp increase in the number of catalytic converters being stolen across the country has police and legislators searching for a way to curb the thefts,” said Nichole Soriano, regional director for Travelers Insurance Co. and chair of the New York Anti Car Theft and Fraud Association at May 6 announcement of the tagging effort.
* Reporter Sophia Heit with the Anacortes American contributed to the report.
Catalytic converter thefts growing problem in Anacortes
Your comment has been submitted.
There was a problem reporting this.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Invalid password or account does not exist
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the e-mail address listed on your account.
Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
A receipt was sent to your email.