I read this in the 1-16-08 USA Today about Los Angeles, CA

The police are seeing an explosive  increase in theft of catalytic converters from parked cars.  The thieves unbolt or cut them off and sell them at scrap yards.  The converters bring $100 to $150 cash each.

"These guys can do 10 cars in one day and thats a pretty good profit"
 the paper said.

Anyway I just thought this was interesting article.
So these guys can make about a $1000 a day.  Not Bad, if your a thief.

Has anybody else heard of this happening in other parts of the country?

We've had MANY converters stolen on the past month or so. They have been sawed off of cars parked outside the shop, and just taken from cars that have them off, and stored in the trunk, or beds of trucks outside. We have had to start storing ALL of the exhaust systems inside at night.
Most front wheel drive cars require the exhaust to be removed to get the trans out. Some of them, it is easier to remove the entire exhaust system, rather than just a part of it, so the whole shebang sits outside...not anymore. The shop has had to send 10-20 cars to the muffler shop in the last few weeks for new converters.
They SAY, it is the platinum in the converters that is valuable...I don't know if I buy that...


Check out the article HEREAdams' Apple2008-01-18 11:36:09

I have heard of that as well.  Recycling of catalytic converters is becoming a very profitable thing to do.

Yep, CBS Channel 8 Indy news did a segment on their station not long ago covering this. Theives were going into lots and cutting them out using a electric Sawzall. They ran this as an awareness and a warning to the public and scrap yards.

Thanks Joel, for providing a link to the USA Today article.
Just was interesting how things are going.
Maybe the auto industry with have to try to make the converters "theft free".

The article says its cost up to $1000 for the owners to have their catalytic converters replaced.  Joel, does that cost seem right?  THANKS

I guess depending upon what other parts of the exhaust were damaged when removing the converters it could require extensive repairs.  Plus using OEM parts isn't as cheap as aftermarket vendors.

The price of precious metals has gone up a lot, since the dollar is coming down. There are companies out there that recover precious metals from all kinds of stuff. The most common is electronic parts.

That does happen in the NJ area, but the big ticket item is the high intensity head lamps.

Ten152008-01-18 11:33:47

Steve, the cost to replace the converter varies greatly depending on the car, and how many converters that car has.
On my 'Burban, the converter was $150 about 3 years ago, but...I'm in the automotive business, so I get a break from most other repair places...

The ones we had stolen averaged around $300/$400 to replace.

Holy crap. I have my old converter in my trunk. Put it there a couple of weeks ago to take to the recycling center. Thought it was just junk.