Seen On

Catalytic Converters Magnet For Metal Thieves

(WCCO) Catalytic converters were designed to curb toxic emissions from your vehicles. But they have also become a magnet for thieves who sell them for precious metals, following the trend of copper thieves.

One local woman has been a victim twice in the past few months. Tracy was first hit back in April when she went to pick up her Toyota Tacoma truck at the Cottage Grove Park-and-Ride. As soon as she turned the ignition key, she heard a roar that sounded like a motorcycle.

"Turned the car off, got out, looked underneath the car and there was this gaping three foot hole with pipe hanging," she said.

While she was at work in downtown Minneapolis, a thief had crawled under her parked truck and cut out the catalytic converter. Tracy spent about $250 to replace the stolen part with a cheap model, hoping it would discourage future thefts.

She also contacted Metro Transit Police who installed surveillance cameras at the suburban parking lot.

Four months later, Tracy heard the same loud noise again. A quick peak underneath confirmed her suspicions. She had become the victim of a catalytic converter thief for a second time. She also learned that the Metro Transit Police Department's temporary cameras weren't on site that day so no photos were recorded of the theft.

Police in the Twin Cities say they have been seeing a steady increase in thefts of catalytic converters.

"We're used to seeing people stealing things out of cars but it is not what's in these cars but it's what's underneath," Minneapolis Lt Greg Reinhardt said.

Thieves are after that part because it is contains precious metals like platinum that can be sold to junkyards and scrap metal dealers.

"Much like copper wire, it is so lucrative that the money is there," said Reinhardt. "It's a very difficult thing to trace."

Police say trucks like Tracy's and other vehicles that are high off the ground are magnets for these thieves. Reinhardt advises that you park in places that are well-patrolled and always report suspicious activities if you see people hanging out near your vehicle.

In the meantime, Tracy has put her truck up for sale. She loved the way it worked hauling around her son to go to camp, carry his bikes and the family dog.

But Tracy said she has been targeted two times too many and the thieves left her no other choice.

 

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

---