Fullerton: Catalytic Converter Thefts on the Rise, Police Say
Catalytic converter theft is preventable. This video outlines steps to protect
your vehicle and help neighbors by reporting suspicious activity.
By Lauren Klopmeyer, Amanda Michi and Kandace Thomas
The Red Line Project
@chitownstories
Posted: Monday, Nov. 28, 2011
Editor’s Note: Robert's last name was withheld from the story for personal safety reasons. Also, If this has happened to you, please share your story with us below in the comments section.
Robert, a Bucktown resident, walked out to his car one day in 2010 to find he had almost become a victim of catalytic converter theft.
The thieves didn't get the goods. But the damage was already done.
“The bill for the car was about $2,100. I knew about catalytic converters being stolen but I had hoped it wouldn’t happen to me,” he said.
Robert drives a Honda Element, which is a common target for catalytic converter thieves because its high clearance and easy access to the converter, which has valuable metals that can be sold at a profit.
From Bucktown to Pilsen to Jefferson Park, catalytic converter thefts are becoming a prevalent problem throughout Chicago, police say.
Jim Cornelison, a burglary team tactical officer with the 18th police district, said he has seen a rise in these kinds of theft.
“[It] is probably due to the high value of scrap metal during a down economy,” he said.
Most thieves use a simple saw as their tool of choice, sometimes acting with a counterpart to serve as a distraction while they saw off the converter, which can be found next to the exhaust in the rear of the car.
“Many potential witnesses are deceived by the thieves because they use a ruse to fool citizens into thinking that they have a stalled vehicle with the hood up, parked next to the target vehicle,” Cornelison said. “Meanwhile the offender is under the target vehicle cutting the converter. “
Cornelison said while most of the arrests take place while the thief is caught in the act, some also occur after-the-fact.
“Arrests are occasionally made when the offender(s) try to sell the converters to scrap yards or when stopped by police when in possession of these converters,” Cornelison said.
“Patrolling every vehicle parked on every city street is very difficult for an under-staffed police department."
Removal of the converter requires quick repair, as driving without it can cause serious damage.
The catalytic converter was created in 1975, as a way to control pollution, said LeAnthony Foley, who has been a mechanic for 30 years.
“Cars made before the 70’s don’t have catalytic converters but new models do,” Foley said. “They were created to break down carbon monoxide emitted and release less harmful emissions.”
“To replace a catalytic converter, a new one will cost you anywhere between $200 or $1,000,” Foley said. “It depends on the type of car, the model, foreign cars are definitely more costly.”
Foley also pointed out that costs could be more if there was damage to the exhaust system. Thieves have been known to use blowtorches, power saws, whatever it takes to remove them, with little regard to the car.
Another victim, Ursula Merten, also drives a Honda Element and while the thief was unsuccessful in their attempt to saw off the converter, the damage still cost $1,100 to repair.
Why Catalytic Converters?
Catalytic converters in newer cars have become a popular target for thieves because of the high-priced metals used to make them.
“On average we buy them for about $90 a piece, but that changes with market value on a regular basis,” said Harold Schafer of First American Core, a catalytic converter buyer.
The part gets its value from the precious metals found in its material, including platinum, palladium and rhodium.
Companies like CatClamp have created anti-theft devices to install on vehicles.
According to the description on the CatClamp website it “creates a durable, tight fitting, rattle proof cage around the converter and locks it to the vehicle chassis up to seven times.”
Victims like Robert have started parking closer to the curb to prevent thieves from getting access to the catalytic converter and exhaust system
“It makes it a little harder for an amateur to get, a professional is going to get it no mater what a person does,” he said.
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