Catalytic converter thefts are on the rise again. Here's what to know, how to prevent

If you’ve got a car, chances are you’ve already been hearing about increases in catalytic converter thefts in recent months.

Unfortunately for Delaware drivers, this trend impacts the First State, too.

The New Castle County Division of Police released a statement earlier this week advising all residents that “thieves are stealing catalytic converters from cars at an increasing rate,” and numerous thefts have been reported throughout the county just within the past week.

In 2022, approximately 283 catalytic converter thefts were reported in New Castle County, said Sgt. Tracey Duffy of the New Castle County division of Delaware State Police.

Kent County saw 36 catalytic converter thefts in 2022 while Sussex County reports 34 for the year, according to Delaware State Police.

In the past three years, catalytic converter thefts have increased nearly 2,200%, with New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Connecticut and Pennsylvania seeing a big increase in theft occurrence, according to BeenVerified.

What is a catalytic converter?

A catalytic converter looks like a small muffler and sits along the exhaust system. It converts the environmentally hazardous exhaust emitted by the engine into less harmful gases.

To do this, catalytic converters use rhodium, palladium or platinum, precious metals that have seen a dramatic increase in value in recent years. Due to this, thefts of this device are on the rise, accelerated by limited resources and supply chain disruption, according to New Castle County state police.

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The value of these metals per ounce averages $940 for platinum, $1,784 for palladium and $12,300 for rhodium. Thieves can receive $50 to $250 per catalytic converter turned into recycling facilities, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau. 

The cost to replace a catalytic converter? Between $1,500 and $5,000, reports NICB.

How to tell if your catalytic converter has been stolen

If your catalytic converter is stolen, there are telltale signs that will signal something is wrong.

The major sign of a stolen catalytic converter is a loud roar when starting the car that gets louder as you accelerate. The catalytic converter is positioned between your car’s engine and muffler, and if it's removed, your exhaust will no longer be flowing through your muffler, causing the noise, according to CARFAX.

Other signs of a missing catalytic converter include:

• Smellier or darker exhaust. An increase in exhaust fumes.

• Sluggish, uneven or sputtering acceleration due to lack of exhaust regulation.

• Damage under your vehicle leading to the muffler.

• An illuminated “check engine” light.

Driving without a catalytic converter is bad for your vehicle. If you suspect yours has been stolen, have your car checked out immediately.

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What vehicles are most commonly targeted?

Vehicles parked for prolonged periods in large lots — like those at apartment complexes or shopping centers, company parking lots or mass transit commuter parking lots — are typically more susceptible to catalytic converter theft, reports the New Castle County Division of Police.

Vehicles that sit higher from the ground, such as SUVs, trucks and pickup trucks, are even more vulnerable to theft because thieves can slide underneath easily without having to jack up the vehicle to gain access.

A catalytic converter can be stolen in less than a minute with a few cuts of a battery-powered saw, according to the division.

Vehicles with low emissions also are bigger targets because their catalytic converters contain a higher presence of precious metals, Sgt. Duffy said.

Some vehicle models have been targeted for catalytic converter theft far more than others. These are the top 10 vehicles at risk for catalytic converter theft, according to CARFAX:

• Ford Econoline

• Ford Explorer

• Ford F Series Truck

• Honda Accord

• Honda CR-V

• Nissan NV

• Subaru Forester

• Toyota Camry

• Toyota Prius

• Toyota Tacoma

How to prevent your catalytic converter from being stolen

To prevent catalytic converter theft, the New Castle County Division of Police offers these tips:

• Park in a well-lit area.

• Park indoors if possible.

• Park within a fenced area that’s busy during the day and secure at night if you own or work at a business or factory.

• Consider installing a dash camera to scare thieves off. Some dash cameras use motion sensors to record figures close enough to your car to get to the catalytic converter.

• Park near cameras. Choose parking garages and lots covered by cameras when applicable.

• Install an anti-theft device in your vehicle. Some car shops offer shields designed to make catalytic converters harder to remove. Police note that they have not seen studies on the efficacy of these devices.

• Purchase a vehicle security system and set it to trigger with the slightest motion.

• Etch your VIN number or license plate number onto your catalytic converter to make tracking easier.

• Paint your catalytic converter using a high-temperature fluorescent color.

Catalytic converter legislation

In recent years, legislation has been introduced at the state and federal levels to combat catalytic converter theft.

In Delaware, two bills related to the car part have come about.

House Bill 78, introduced on March 7 by Rep. Eric Morrison, aims to update the definition of a catalytic converter and limit the purchase or sale of them to a licensed automotive recycler or licensed scrap metal processor, and their respective employees and agents. HB 78 also was introduced to assist law enforcement in response to the high level of thefts that have occurred in Delaware.

The act specifies the amount of time the catalytic converter must be held before sale, as well as what contact information must be obtained from the purchaser and seller. Identifying information on the part must be obtained and maintained for one year.

Under HB 78, a 48-hour hold is placed on payments, limits payment forms to check and limits the time of day and location for the sale of a catalytic converter. The licensed sellers must make purchasers’ and sellers’ contact information available to police.

Senate Bill 77 was introduced on April 5 by Sen. Jack Walsh and aims to create a separate offense for the theft of a catalytic converter.

Under SB 77, the first offense of catalytic converter theft would be a class A misdemeanor unless the value of the stolen property is $1,500 or more, in which case it is a class G felony.

A second offense within the previous five years would be a class G felony, regardless of the value of the stolen property.

The rest of the bill outlines the protocol for a first or second offense within the previous five years based on various victim demographics and value of the property.

SB 77 would increase the reporting requirements for scrap metal processors when they acquire scrap metal, including catalytic converters, and make technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

At the federal level, a bipartisan bill reintroduced by U.S. Rep. Jim Baird, R-Ind., called the Preventing Auto Recycling Thefts Act, was proposed. The bill was introduced in the Senate in late January and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: How prevent catalytic converter theft in Delaware, plus safety tips