Why Are People Stealing Catalytic Converters? How Do You Stop Them ...

There has been an alarming trend of people stealing catalytic converters from cars, trucks and buses because thieves often see value in the precious metals used to make the car parts.

In New Jersey alone, two school districts have reported catalytic converter thefts from school buses not too long after dealing with the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida.

Here is what to know about why potential thieves are attracted to these car parts and how you can protect yourself from getting your car parts stolen.

Why are thieves stealing catalytic converters?

Thieves are motivated to steal catalytic converters because they contain precious metals, such as platinum and rhodium.

Then, the thieves often sell the car parts for money on the black market.

“What they’re doing is stealing the platinum out of them and the rhodium,” exhaust shop owner Aaron Harker said. “You can turn around and turn it into the junkyard and sell it and get money off of it.”

Harker added that a would-be thief can steal a catalytic converter from the underbelly of a car within 5-to-10 minutes.

Because the process is so quiet and fast, most people do not know if their catalytic converters have been stolen until they start their engines and hear a loud rattle.

The parts are also expensive to replace, ranging between $2,000 to $2,500 for each catalytic converter.

How do I protect my car against catalytic converter theft?

There are three things you can do to protect yourself against catalytic converter theft.

First, you can etch your license plate number on it. Law enforcement can then track your car part if it’s stolen. Some law enforcement agencies also hold etching sessions with local garages.

Second, always park in a well-lit area. Setting your vehicle alarm and installing a bright motion sensor light might also help, too.

And third, install an anti-theft device that consists of a shield or a plate that is bolted to cover up the catalytic converter.

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Katherine Rodriguez can be reached at [email protected]. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips.