Local auto shops report an increase in cars with stolen catalytic converters

Local auto shops are reporting an increase in vehicles with stolen catalytic converters. Eric Lopez, a mechanic at I-10 Collision Center in Thousand Palms, says their shop sees at least one car a week with a stolen converter. 

“It's just easy access for them to get something easy like that. Quick to sell it at the black market,” said Lopez. 

Thieves target vehicles that give them easy access to their converters, like Toyota Tacomas and Ford Explorers. Thieves steal the catalytic converters to get to the precious metals inside of them. 

Catalytic converters include the following metals: 

-Platinum: worth $970 per ounce

- Palladium: worth $1,330 an ounce 

-Rhodium: worth $10,000 per ounce. 

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, catalytic converter crimes are on the rise in California. Over 32,000 cases of stolen catalytic converters were reported last year. 

Lieutenant Gustavo Araiza says the Palm Springs Police Department has been tracking catalytic converter crimes locally.  

“January through June, there were approximately 40 incidents, and roughly about 18 of those were Toyota Tacomas,” said Araiza. 

Araiza says cars parked on the street are the most susceptible to catalytic converter theft. 

“If it's street side, it makes it easier for the criminal to get in and out undetected.They do it so quickly that it becomes a challenge for us to locate and apprehend those criminals,” said Araiza. 

A stolen catalytic converter is not a quick fix. Lopez says it can take months for their shop to receive the part from a dealership. 

“They leave customers without a vehicle, just because you do need a catalytic converter for emission laws. Here in California, they're really strict on emission laws. It sucks that some customers have to stay without a vehicle for a couple months,” said Lopez. 

The following are signs that your catalytic converter has been stolen: 

You can prevent catalytic converter theft by: 

-Parking your car in well-lit, secured areas like your garage. 

-Covering your converter with a metal sheet or converter cage. 

-Etching your vin number on your converter so the police can easily identify your vehicle. 

“...we would be able to associate that vehicle identification number to an actual victim,” said Araiza.