Catalytic converter theft
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 807
Likes: 36
From: Ca
Initially it was the Toyota Sequoia, Prius and then the Honda Element getting hit in my neighborhood. Now they seem to have branched out to anything they can get their hands on. A local mechanic is offering to etch your plate # onto the cat for free. And many other people are getting the cat cages for their cars. I have a neighbor with a gen 2 Prius who has been hit twice. There was a third attempt, but another neighbor heard the saw and confronted the thieves who took off immediately and left their saw LOL. Insurance does cover this most of the time, but the only thing that's going to do is raise rates for everyone. It's like the wild west here in Los Angeles now...
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,612
Likes: 1,852
From: Ohio
Yep, glad they didn't get a chance to finish their work.
That bad thing is they should find a way to go after the shops that buy them.
I read a simple{?} but cheap deterrent is to paint your cat. converter like a bright color bc the shop won't accept it since they'll have to spend extra to remove the paint.
That bad thing is they should find a way to go after the shops that buy them.
I read a simple{?} but cheap deterrent is to paint your cat. converter like a bright color bc the shop won't accept it since they'll have to spend extra to remove the paint.
Thefts are also up near me which is very odd and concerning, my friend had his Jeep hit for some reason. I had no idea something like that would even be a target
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,612
Likes: 1,852
From: Ohio
Thieves target SUVs as there is no need to lift the vehicle, the cat is easy accessible.
As soon as I turn on the ignition, the noise was evident. I thought was a blown header gasket, but I had that funny feeling someone tamper with the car.
The crazy thing I work a very early morning shift and where I park is always a desert, two days in a row this kids at a nearby bench, not even 5:45am, and that to me was a red flag, but brushed it away and headed to work.
When I got back the same two kids appeared out of nowhere in the distance, while I was talking to the police.
Am waiting for the case to be assigned to the investigations team for them to facilitate the video footage from security cameras, and lift fingerprints from the left behind broken blade.
I went to a muffler shop, they want $200 to weld it back, IMO is a rip off. Might as well get a clamp and the muffler tape, is not as if this is some high end sports car.
As soon as I turn on the ignition, the noise was evident. I thought was a blown header gasket, but I had that funny feeling someone tamper with the car.
The crazy thing I work a very early morning shift and where I park is always a desert, two days in a row this kids at a nearby bench, not even 5:45am, and that to me was a red flag, but brushed it away and headed to work.
When I got back the same two kids appeared out of nowhere in the distance, while I was talking to the police.
Am waiting for the case to be assigned to the investigations team for them to facilitate the video footage from security cameras, and lift fingerprints from the left behind broken blade.
I went to a muffler shop, they want $200 to weld it back, IMO is a rip off. Might as well get a clamp and the muffler tape, is not as if this is some high end sports car.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,612
Likes: 1,852
From: Ohio
I understand the earth is running out of reserves of metals used in manufacturing of catalytic converters, rhodium in particular. It is going to be another factor in the push for EVs, as they don't have exhaust systems.
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 544
From: CA
I was fantasizing about these "cat-thieves" being crushed to death under vehicles while stealing cats, so I Googled it to see if it has ever happened. I was glad to see at least one:
https://www.latimes.com/california/s...ytic-converter
Too, why doesn't insurance cover this?
How about making it illegal to possess a used, loose cat? If we had a law that only allowed dealers and repair shops to possess loose, new cats, we wouldn't have unscrupulous junk yards and recyclers buying stolen cats from thieves. Too, the law could make any recycling value be payable only to a registered owner, or licensed repair facility.
https://www.latimes.com/california/s...ytic-converter
Too, why doesn't insurance cover this?
How about making it illegal to possess a used, loose cat? If we had a law that only allowed dealers and repair shops to possess loose, new cats, we wouldn't have unscrupulous junk yards and recyclers buying stolen cats from thieves. Too, the law could make any recycling value be payable only to a registered owner, or licensed repair facility.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,649
Likes: 426
From: ON/NY
I was fantasizing about these "cat-thieves" being crushed to death under vehicles while stealing cats, so I Googled it to see if it has ever happened. I was glad to see at least one:
https://www.latimes.com/california/s...ytic-converter
Too, why doesn't insurance cover this?
How about making it illegal to possess a used, loose cat? If we had a law that only allowed dealers and repair shops to possess loose, new cats, we wouldn't have unscrupulous junk yards and recyclers buying stolen cats from thieves. Too, the law could make any recycling value be payable only to a registered owner, or licensed repair facility.
https://www.latimes.com/california/s...ytic-converter
Too, why doesn't insurance cover this?
How about making it illegal to possess a used, loose cat? If we had a law that only allowed dealers and repair shops to possess loose, new cats, we wouldn't have unscrupulous junk yards and recyclers buying stolen cats from thieves. Too, the law could make any recycling value be payable only to a registered owner, or licensed repair facility.
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Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 544
From: CA
I don't see your point. How would my law be punishing good people? Nobody has the need to be in possession of a used cat. Are you saying that a car owner may want to buy a used cat? This would not be great choice in the event of replacing their old cat. It would be much better, in the car owner's interest, for them to be forced to buy new, even if they had to go aftermarket for affordability. Cats have a lifespan, and it would be foolish to buy a used one from a junk yard unless it was from a late model vehicle. The main reason someone may need to replace a late model cat is because theirs was stolen. These junk yards and thieves are creating their own market, not unlike the glass company who goes out at night to break windows!
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,649
Likes: 426
From: ON/NY
I don't see your point. How would my law be punishing good people? Nobody has the need to be in possession of a used cat. Are you saying that a car owner may want to buy a used cat? This would not be great choice in the event of replacing their old cat. It would be much better, in the car owner's interest, for them to be forced to buy new, even if they had to go aftermarket for affordability. Cats have a lifespan, and it would be foolish to buy a used one from a junk yard unless it was from a late model vehicle. The main reason someone may need to replace a late model cat is because theirs was stolen. These junk yards and thieves are creating their own market, not unlike the glass company who goes out at night to break windows!
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 544
From: CA
I see your point of someone wanting to replace their stock exhaust system and keep their old parts, but not being able to do so would be a small price to pay for killing the used-cat market. Maybe we could have manufacturers stamp the cat with the VIN. There could be an exemption in the law for VIN'ed, loose cats belonging to the registered owner of the vehicle.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,649
Likes: 426
From: ON/NY
I am trying to think of some sort of similar law that can be compared to this idea
Last edited by Toys4RJill; Jun 30, 2021 at 03:34 PM.
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 2,738
Likes: 544
From: CA
Stamping would make the recycling process a lot more difficult and risky for the thieves and businesses who cater to them. Do you have any better ideas (it's easier to criticize than to create)?
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,649
Likes: 426
From: ON/NY
Check this out. https://www.motor1.com/news/494061/c...s-police-bust/
Last edited by Toys4RJill; Jun 30, 2021 at 06:53 PM.