Who is Stealing All the Catalytic Converters?

The Great Cat Heist: A Growing Concern for Car Owners

As car owners, we've all heard stories about thieves who break into our vehicles and steal valuable parts, like catalytic converters. But what's becoming increasingly common is not just the theft of these converters, but also the cat itself. Yes, you read that right - the feline companion that sits on our passenger seat has become a target for thieves. In recent years, there have been numerous reports of stolen cats being recovered from junkyards, with many owners left wondering how their pets ended up in such places.

The problem is twofold: first, the rise in catalytic converter theft has led to an increase in cat theft as well. Thieves are finding ways to bypass security systems and steal these valuable parts, which can sell for thousands of dollars on the black market. Meanwhile, the junkyards that buy these stolen converters often don't have any way to distinguish between legitimate and stolen goods. It's a situation that's left many car owners feeling frustrated and powerless.

But it's not just about the money - it's also about the emotional toll that cat theft can take on pet owners. Imagine coming home from work to find that your beloved cat is gone, only to discover that it was taken by thieves who were after its catalytic converter. The thought alone is chilling, and yet, many people are falling victim to this crime every year.

So, what can be done to stop these dastardly thieves? One suggestion is for car owners to take a proactive approach to protecting their pets. For example, some insurance companies recommend parking in well-lit areas or garages to reduce the risk of theft. Others suggest getting your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) engraved on your cat's collar, making it easier to track down if it's stolen.

However, these measures may not be enough, and that's why many experts are calling for more comprehensive solutions. One idea is for manufacturers to start putting VINs on catalytic converters themselves, making it harder for thieves to sell them on the black market. However, this would require significant changes in production processes, which could take years to implement.

Another solution that has been suggested is for scrap yards and recyclers to have some kind of accountability system in place when buying stolen parts. This would help ensure that stolen converters are not sold to buyers who don't have the necessary documentation or proof of ownership. However, this requires a level of regulation and enforcement that many businesses may not be willing to adopt.

In the meantime, car owners can take steps to protect their pets from cat theft. One idea is to install a cat shield on the underside of your vehicle, which would make it difficult for thieves to access the catalytic converter. These shields are available from various manufacturers and can be installed by DIY enthusiasts or local shops. They work by welding a thick piece of metal onto the bottom of the car, creating a barrier that prevents thieves from cutting through.

Another creative solution is to use a skid plate on your car's underside. This would not only protect your catalytic converter but also give you more aerodynamic surface area, similar to the floor of a racing car. Car enthusiasts have come up with various designs for these plates, and some even offer custom-made solutions for specific vehicle models.

But it's worth noting that not all cat thefts are easy to prevent. Speed is often a factor in these crimes, as thieves try to get out of there before they can be caught or confronted by homeowners who've woken up to find their cars broken into. In some cases, car owners may need to drop their vehicle to the ground using a jack to prevent theft, effectively making it too low for thieves to access.

In recent years, some car enthusiasts have come up with creative solutions to this problem. For example, some have opted for straight-piping their cars, which means removing the exhaust system altogether and installing a new exhaust pipe that runs directly from the engine to the tailpipe. This approach can make it much harder for thieves to access the catalytic converter, as they would need to cut through multiple pieces of pipe.

Despite these creative solutions, there's still no foolproof way to protect your car and cat from theft. However, by working together and sharing ideas, we may be able to develop more effective strategies to prevent this type of crime in the future. As one commentator noted, "Do not steal catalytic converters" - a message that resonates with many car owners who've fallen victim to these thieves.

So, what can you do as a car owner to protect yourself from cat theft? First and foremost, take steps to secure your vehicle and make it more difficult for thieves to access the catalytic converter. Engrave your VIN on your cat's collar, park in well-lit areas or garages, and consider installing a cat shield or skid plate on your car's underside.

If you've ever had your catalytic converter stolen, we'd love to hear about it - leave a comment below! In the meantime, follow us on social media for more news and tips on how to protect your car and cat from these thieves.

WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: en- Here's a question for you.What do an Ford f250 gasoline truckand a Toyota Prius plug-inhybrid have in common?Is it that they both liketo weave through trafficand then do 55 in the fastlane once the road is clear?Well yes, but they also havesomething else in common.They are both prime targetsfor catalytic converter theft.During the lockdown of 2020catalytic converter theftmore than quadrupled.But why is it this onepart of your exhaust systemthat many enthusiasts wishthey didn't have, so valuable?Who's stealing these things?And more importantly, who'sbuying these stolen cats?Today, we're going to lookat this criminal epidemichitting car owners andshow you what a trash fireof a human being you'd have to beto steal a catalytic converter.Seriously, don't do it.For those of you who don't knowa catalytic converter or catis an essential partof your exhaust systemthat was added to allcars in the US in 1975.In 1970, the EPA was formedand gave car manufacturersfive years to reduce emissionsfrom automobiles by 90%.That sounds like an impossible feat.But the OEMs managed to pull it off.Thanks to catalytic converters.Cats use metals such as rhodium, platinumand palladium as catalysts.When heated up while drivingthese catalysts react withharmful chemicals in yourexhaust, neutralizing themand turning them into inert, safe gases.Well this is a pretty impressive feat.It uses some very expensive metalsand those rare metals arewhat the thieves are after.Platinum, as you mightexpect is very expensiveat about a thousand dollars an ounce.But palladium is threetimes more expensive.These are some crazy precious metals.But what really makes catalytic convertersso valuable to thieves, is rhodium.(up-tempo plucky music)at the beginning of 2020rhodium went for astaggering $5,000 an ouncebut the madness doesn't end there.Rhodium has always been in short supply.And when the globalpandemic shut down the minesthe cost of rhodium went through the roof.This year it hit its peakof over $25,000 an ounce.That's a lot of money sitting undernearly every car on the road.Catalytic convertershave very small amountsof these metals. And as the cat gets olderthese metals get used upas they react to theharmful exhaust gases.But right now, even scrapones have enough rhodiumand palladium in them to sell for 100200 or even 300 bucks.And if someone steals yours,you've got to get a new onewhich could cost a thousand to $1,500.But besides material thefthow are you affected by a stolen cat?Well, basically means your exhaust isexiting right underthe center of your car.Not only is it excessively loudbut it also means the hot exhaust gasesare getting let out wherethey're not supposed to.And depending on yourcar, that could melt wireshoses and do other damage to your car.Even a short drive to themechanic could do some damage.But if you find thatyour cat has been stolenyou're probably in good enough shapeto drive to the nearest shop.You'll probably be okay.But what makes a car a targetfor catalytic converter theft?Will a thief just go to any old car?Well, some cars gettargeted more than othersand because not all cats are the sameas some cats are worth more than others.Generally, a catalyticconverter lasts about 10 years.So thieves tend to target newer cars.The humble Toyota Priushas long been a target ofcatalytic converter theftbecause it's a hybrid.But that is not because hybridshave more expensive catswhile it's true that hybrids tend to havea little more palladiumin them than most carsthe main reason thatplug-in hybrids get targetedis simply because theyuse the engine less.Most Prius owners can do their commuteall in the electric power of the carand barely even use theinternal combustion engine.This means less gas isgoing out of the exhaustand therefore more rare metalis still in the catalytic converter.But that's not the onlyreason a car gets targeted.On the total other end of thespectrum is the Ford F250.The F250 is a big target forcatalytic converter theftbecause the OEM cat cancost $2,500. It's a big boy.And I guess the F250's exhaustneeds a lot of catalyzingto make it road legal.Which means more valuablemetals being used as catalysts.But also with this truck and many othersit's easy to get to thecatalytic converter.Most of these can just slideright under that truck.You don't need to lift itat all, no extra equipment.Which actually brings me to my next point.How are people stealing somethingthat's welded to your car?Well, it's actually a loteasier than you think.All you need, is one of these.Turns out the metal use for exhaust pipingis really, really thin.Once a thief is under your carit can take as little as30 seconds to make two cutsand be gone without anyone noticing.Even dealerships get hit.This Mitsubishi dealership in Texaslost 20 catalytic convertersin just 20 minutes.I now realize, I basically gave a tutorialon how to steal these things.So I want to reiterate, do not do this.Do not be a scumbag.I'm willing to bet if someone catches youthey won't be so kind.Once a catalytic converter has been stolenyour car is going tosound a little different.Since the thieves havecut the exhaust pipingthey essentially did amuffler delete on your car.You'd basically end upwith a straight pipe car.I got to tell you, it'snot the sound you'd expectto come out of a Prius.(Prius humming)So, the question that'sbeen bothering me isonce a thief has your cathow do they turn thatinto cold, hard cash?Thieves take the stolencatalytic convertersto local junkyards to sell them.Which is where I found thewhole thing would fall apart.As the thief would getcaught selling a catthat had been reported stolen.Unfortunately, this often isn't the case.Since catalytic convertersreally only last 10 yearsthey don't have any sortof identification on themthat would tie them to your car.There's no VIN numberor anything on the cat.It would be almostimpossible for a junk yardto tell a stolen catfrom one that was pulledfrom a wreck or an old car.Plenty of people areselling catalytic convertersfor legitimate reasons.And there's no system todistinguish them from thieves.Some of you might saythat it's the junkyard's responsibilityto find out where the catthey're buying came frombut without any kind ofregulation or enforcementthe themes would just goto a different junk yard.And the ones that were following the ruleswould lose business.If OEM started putting VINson catalytic convertershowever, that might be a start.But it would be yearsbefore that system would becommon enough for junkyardsto require proof of ownershipto sell the catalyticconverters. And by thenit's pretty likely all the newcars will be electric anyway.and the thieves will be stealingbatteries or (indistinct)or whatever, whatever the new grift is.I'll say it again. Do notsteal catalytic converters.Not just because it's illegalbut I've heard plenty ofstories of thieves that werecrushed by cars becausethey were in a rush.Some might call that comeuppance.So what can you do as a car ownerto protect yourself fromthe absolute douche bagsthat would want to steal your cat?Well, there's a few things that workand a few things that don't.Insurance companies recommend things likeparking in well lit areas or in a garage.Wow. Thanks for the wisdom, guys.Another suggestion is gettingyour VIN engraved on the cat.Since the rise in these theftsmany local shops are doing this for free.You can also check with yourlocal police department.A few of them have programsfor VIN engravings.If you want to make your cat trackable.A lot of times, cops will sponsor an eventwhere you can get this done for free.Honestly, I think VINs oncats is a pretty good idea.But it needs to comefrom the manufacturer.It needs to be something tojunk yards can expect to see.Otherwise, a thief can just file it off.Also, it won't stop someonefrom stealing a catalyticconverter in the first place.For that, you're goingto need a cat shield.A cat shield, or cat plate isjust a thick piece of metalwelded on the bottom of your carcovering your catalytic converter.There are companies that make pre-cut onesfor almost any car, or youcan just cut any sheet metaland do it yourself. Even acage of rebar would work.It really doesn't takemuch to keep your cat safeand you can use this as a good opportunityto work on your car or practice weldingor have a local shop do it for you.Again, that's just adding another step.If a thief was really determined,they can still cut throughjust about anything you weld to your car.But since speed is such a big part ofcatalytic converter theft.It's more likely thatthey'll move on to an easier target.I like the idea of cat shieldsbecause not only do they protect your catbut they smooth out the bottom of your cargiving you more aerodynamic surfacelike the floor of a racecar, some extra shielding.Like a freaking skid plate, hell yeah.(Eagle screeches)In fact, car enthusiastshave plenty of waysto deter criminals from cat theft.Are you on airbag suspension?Drop your car to the absolute ground.No one will be able to steal your catif the car is too low toget a Jack under there.I'll say for non-Californiamaybe consider straight piping your car.No one can steal yourcat if it's not there.Seriously though, I think the only wayfor these kinds of theftsis for OEMs to have somekind of serial numberor a way to track catalytic convertersand for scrapyards andrecyclers to have some sort ofaccountability for buying stolen parts.If you have an ideathat could #SaveTheCatsleave a comment down below.Thank you very much forwatching Wheelhouse.If you've ever had yourcatalytic converter stolenlet me know down in thecomments, sorry that happened.I'd like to hear about your experience.Luckily, my car is pretty lowand the cats are in anextremely inconvenient place.Just watch this episode of Money Pitto find out how we put someexhaust cutouts on my car.And as you'll see, the exhaustsystem in a 2006 Mustangis kind of annoying.Go ahead and follow Donut onall social media @donutmediawe've been posting alot of fire memes latelyon the old Instagram there,it's been a lot of fun.Follow me @nolanjsykesBe kind, I'll see you next week.Can I borrow someone's jack?