Have You Seen My Catalytic Converter?

alucard0822 · Feb 26, 2015

We get literally thousands of cat thefts, usually costs between $1,000 and $2,000 to replace, street value of a stolen cat is $50-$100. We have had good luck with some theft detterent cages or alarms, basically thick wire or bars around the cat making it take a LOT longer to cut through, or rubber coated wires around it that set off a loud alarm when cut or shorted. There have been stings and arrests at salvage yards, and some companies are stamping their info on the cats to help police, but the problem isn't going away when someone with a cordless sawzall can make hundreds or thousands in one night with hundreds of unsecured company yards to choose from. Worst was a private elementary school that got all 3 busses hit in a parking lot while on a field trip, basically stranding about 50 kids a couple hours away from home.

ibanez320dx · Feb 26, 2015

protegeV said:
yep, we've seen that a time or two

in fact, we also had a plow truck stolen right off two sundays ago...

At JBA Chevy they have an empty lot across the street that they use to keep trucks. Someone stole all the tailgates and any headlights/grilles from unlocked trucks. It was pretty amazing lol.

Schipperke · Feb 28, 2015

So how do you fence a catalytic convertor? Who buys them? Or do you actually salvage raw material from inside them first?

wilcam47 · Feb 28, 2015

Schipperke said:
So how do you fence a catalytic convertor? Who buys them? Or do you actually salvage raw material from inside them first?

I think they just take them to a salvage yard...IDK though only thing Ive ever taken there is some scrap bolts and a radiator.

Outrider can you file a police report and insurance claim?

protegeV · Feb 28, 2015

Schipperke said:
So how do you fence a catalytic convertor? Who buys them? Or do you actually salvage raw material from inside them first?

You have to sell then whole. they pay very little for the raw material, bc the only way to verify the content and level of precious metals inside is to see the actual case of the converter.
Also, they made it mandatory to have a recyclers license a few years ago in order to scrap converters. So you can be sure these thieves aren't getting full price from a scrap yard. They are selling them at probably 50% value to a legit recycler(someone who drives a truck around to shops and pays a fraction for steel, aluminum, etc and then sells to the scrap yard)

wilcam47 · Feb 28, 2015

protegeV said:
You have to sell then whole. they pay very little for the raw material, bc the only way to verify the content and level of precious metals inside is to see the actual case of the converter.
Also, they made it mandatory to have a recyclers license a few years ago in order to scrap converters. So you can be sure these thieves aren't getting full price from a scrap yard. They are selling them at probably 50% value to a legit recycler(someone who drives a truck around to shops and pays a fraction for steel, aluminum, etc and then sells to the scrap yard)

Prob some meth/crack heads...stealing anything for a $1 :sad20:

outrider58 · Feb 28, 2015

wilcam47 said:
I think they just take them to a salvage yard...IDK though only thing Ive ever taken there is some scrap bolts and a radiator.

Outrider can you file a police report and insurance claim?

Did an on line po-po report and it was 'excepted' by them as legit. Prolly a no-go on insurance as it happened at my shop not my house(home owners ins.) and I don't carry full coverage on a 17 year old work van. Cost of doing business, I guess. Earlier this year they hit the shop next door's trucks for the same thing...4 or 5 vans.

amoebicmagician · Feb 28, 2015

montoya32 said:
Junkies selling the platinum inside. Nice, huh? Try to have something and dome lowlife literally rips it away.

beat me to it. Even if they can't find a place to sell the part it's self, they can sell the platinum

****ing degenerates, and yet if you had caught him in the act and beaten him within an inch of his life YOU would be the one in trouble

outrider58 · Feb 28, 2015

protegeV said:
You have to sell then whole. they pay very little for the raw material, bc the only way to verify the content and level of precious metals inside is to see the actual case of the converter.
Also, they made it mandatory to have a recyclers license a few years ago in order to scrap converters. So you can be sure these thieves aren't getting full price from a scrap yard. They are selling them at probably 50% value to a legit recycler(someone who drives a truck around to shops and pays a fraction for steel, aluminum, etc and then sells to the scrap yard)

Makes sense.

amoebicmagician · Feb 28, 2015

alucard0822 said:
We get literally thousands of cat thefts, usually costs between $1,000 and $2,000 to replace, street value of a stolen cat is $50-$100. We have had good luck with some theft detterent cages or alarms, basically thick wire or bars around the cat making it take a LOT longer to cut through, or rubber coated wires around it that set off a loud alarm when cut or shorted. There have been stings and arrests at salvage yards, and some companies are stamping their info on the cats to help police, but the problem isn't going away when someone with a cordless sawzall can make hundreds or thousands in one night with hundreds of unsecured company yards to choose from. Worst was a private elementary school that got all 3 busses hit in a parking lot while on a field trip, basically stranding about 50 kids a couple hours away from home.

informative.

Also, I just finally noticed your quote.

"For great justice"

You awesome, awesome bastard :party29:

protegeV · Feb 28, 2015

wilcam47 said:
Prob some meth/crack heads...stealing anything for a $1

Yup, that's what it usually is. Most likely the tools used were stolen as well...

zombiehunter · Mar 1, 2015

Maybe hit a junk yard to find a replacement?

Dmacri25 · Mar 1, 2015

Its illegal for a junkyard to sell used converters

protegeV · Mar 1, 2015

zombiehunter said:
Maybe hit a junk yard to find a replacement?

Junkyards don't usually sell them. they cut em off and sell for scrap. Pretty sure used converters are illegal.

outrider58 · Mar 1, 2015

You can get remans, I've heard. I'm hoping my mech. finds one. My truck isn't worth a new $2000 cat.

Dmacri25 · Mar 1, 2015

outrider58 said:
You can get remans, I've heard. I'm hoping my mech. finds one. My truck isn't worth a new $2000 cat.

Just weld in a universal, i can get them for around 120 for a decent one that will keep the light out.

omegared24 · Mar 1, 2015

Schipperke said:
So how do you fence a catalytic convertor? Who buys them? Or do you actually salvage raw material from inside them first?

In MD it is illegal to sell a catalytic converter unless you are "in the business" (repair shop, etc). I would suspect that the thieves probably have a connection somewhere that buys them.

Prior to the law change I sold a cat out of an old benz for $125 to a scrap yard.

protegeV · Mar 1, 2015

omegared24 said:
In MD it is illegal to sell a catalytic converter unless you are "in the business" (repair shop, etc). I would suspect that the thieves probably have a connection somewhere that buys them.

Prior to the law change I sold a cat out of an old benz for $125 to a scrap yard.

yep. Some are worth some serious money, others are nearly worthless. I work at a shop, so we can sell them. I got maybe $30 for a Hyundai converter and over $200 for one out of a lexus :whoa:

DavidWB · Mar 1, 2015

Traveler said:
Clearly a case of undocumented shopping. Better call Holder.

DavidWB · Mar 1, 2015

montoya32 said:
Junkies selling the platinum inside. Nice, huh? Try to have something and dome lowlife literally rips it away.

That was a huge issue in Maryland for awhile...it sucks it happened to you.

Have You Seen My Catalytic Converter?

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