Many people never heard of a “catalytic converter.” However, if you have been listening to or watching the news, you have no doubt heard about the recent catalytic converter thefts that have been occurring all over the place. On Wednesday, two men were arrested after a resident on Dugan Lane reported that his catalytic converter was stolen just before 11pm. The resident also reported that he had seen a large white box truck with a loading ramp on the back. Toms River patrol spotted the vehicle on New Hampshire Avenue and Church Road. After obtaining a search warrant, police found two recently cut catalytic converters, a sawzall, multiple sawzall blades, a handgun with a 30-round magazine and hollow point ammunition, according to Jill Messina, media relations specialist for the Toms River Police Department. Police arrested Ravene Johns, 25, and Malik Williams, 21, both of Brooklyn Park Minnesota.
Although Toms River Police have not stated this, it is reasonable to assume that the two men are part of a larger network of individuals looking to steal catalytic converters. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, 50,000 catalytic converters were stolen in 2021, up from 14,500. The number of converters stolen this year is estimated to be 109% higher than the previous 12 months. Here’s what you can do to prevent your catalytic convert from being stolen. First, know if you are a target or not. The following vehicles are targets:
1985-2021 Ford F-Series
1989-2020 Honda Accord
2007-2017 Jeep Patriot
1990-2022 Ford Econoline
1999-2021 Chevrolet Silverado
2005-2021 Chevrolet Equinox
1997-2020 Honda CR-V
1987-2019 Toyota Camry
2011-2017 Chrysler 200
2001-2021 Toyota Prius
Second, install an anti-theft device on your catalytic converter. This will run you from 300 to 800 bucks. Some popular devices include steel shields, cages, and stainless steel cables welded from the converter to the car’s frame.
Third, paint your converter. Some recommend using a high-temperature fluorescent organ and inscribing your vehicle identification number on it so that it is traceable.
Fourth, good old fashion car alarms will do the trick. Make sure to be vigilant and use common sense. By reporting suspicious behavior and taking the aforementioned steps, we can nip this trend in the bud.
Source – https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/loans/auto-loans/5-ways-to-foil-catalytic-converter-thieves
