Catalytic converter theft easy money for criminals

Catalytic converters are located underneath vehicles and relatively easy for thieves to nab with a few tools. They're an attractive item for car prowlers and petty thieves because they contain precious metals like platinum and palladium, and can be sold to junkyards and metal recycling facilities for quick cash.-á

"The converters are fairly simple to remove with any metal-cutting instrument. Attentive citizens can be on the lookout for individuals carrying battery operated sawzalls, grinders or other handheld cutting instruments in parking lots or other areas where vehicles are located,GÇ¥ said Monroe Police Sgt. Paul Ryan. "The catalytic converter can generally be removed within two to three minutes.GÇ¥

Vigilance is key to stopping this type of theft. Last year, a patron at Galaxy Theater in Monroe had her catalytic converter stolen while she was inside watching a movie. The theft occurred on a Tuesday afternoon, and reportedly nobody saw anything odd. During that incident, the thieves simply unbolted the part from the vehicle.

Ryan said thieves sometimes attempt to pass as auto industry employees, even going so far as to don generic business shirts to look the part. This way, it doesn't seem as strange to see them in a parking lot underneath a vehicle. It's important to be observant, Ryan said, and to be on the lookout for vehicles improperly parked in the travel lanes of parking lots or individuals loitering in parking lots with tools and heavy gloves.

Thieves use heavy gloves because catalytic converters get hot. If a vehicle has been recently parked, a thief would need to wear gloves in order to handle the part without getting burned.

Vehicles parked awkwardly in travel lanes could be the thieves using it as a shield, blocking their activities from passersby. Always call 9-1-1 if something feels out of place and let law enforcement do the investigating.-á

The Monroe Police Department has taken a proactive approach to metal theft, contacting local recycling companies and informing them of the legal ramifications of accepting stolen property. Washington code states scrap metal businesses are required to contact law enforcement anytime they have cause to believe privately acquired metal property may have been stolen.

The laws were bolstered in 2007 to help combat metal theft, Ryan said.-á -á

The difficulty with catalytic converters is they lack a unique identifier that would enable law enforcement to return the converter to its proper owner once recovered, he said. This makes it nearly impossible for officers to identify a converter once it has been removed from a vehicle.-á

"There is no factory identifying stamp on the converter,GÇ¥ Ryan said. "A way to assist law enforcement would be to inscribe something on the converter, so that it would be identifiable if it were ever stolen and recovered by law enforcement. The key is that the mark should be something law enforcement can trace back, like a driver's license number.GÇ¥

A license plate number is another recommended option.

There are devices for purchase to help prevent the theft of catalytic converters, such as the CatClamp and the CatStrap, which range from $160 to $400. The CatStrap features three levels of theft protection, including a visible warning label, a wireless alarm and a steel barrier.

For catalytic converters attached to a vehicle with bolts, welding the bolts in place or removing the bolt heads can help make it harder to steal. However, that is not a foolproof method when thieves come prepared with sawzalls (reciprocating saws).-á

Trucks and larger sports utility vehicles are often targeted because they are simpler to navigate. Trucks sit higher up off the ground, making it easier to slide underneath and remove the part.

"The most targeted vehicles historically seem to be Toyota trucks and Toyota 4-Runners,GÇ¥ Ryan said. "Locally, most converter thefts seem to occur in retail parking lots with no distinct time frame in mind.GÇ¥