How to Protect Yourself from Catalytic Converter Thefts

Let’s be honest: catalytic converter thefts are one of the only areas where crime is actually increasing in San Leandro. There isn’t a day that goes by where we haven’t heard about someone’s vehicle being vandalized.

Why? Because the precious metals contained in most catalytic converters — platinum, rhodium, and palladium — are expensive and can sell for hundreds of dollars per piece. Due to the pandemic and rising costs of living, the resulting economic distress has made this a lucrative alternative for many criminals and those driven to desperation.

Unfortunately, catching these thieves is extremely difficult. This is because the process of stealing this part from your car is relatively quick and simple. A catalytic converter can typically be removed in just a few minutes by using a saw or a wrench. Slicing through the piping on both sides of the converter before it’s pulled off is the most common method.

Notably, SLPD’s clearance rate for property crimes, including catalytic converter thefts, is approximately 8%. Meanwhile, there are dozens of scrap metal yards along the East Bay, who regularly turn a blind eye because the money is good and there is little to no regulation preventing them from conducting business in these materials on the sly. This means you cannot and should not depend solely on local law enforcement to help you.

So, how can you protect yourself and your vehicle?

1. Know if your car is a target. Call a local muffler or repair shop and ask what vehicles they’ve had to replace catalytic converters on. Typically, the number one choice is a Toyota Prius because they contain a higher concentration of precious metals as part of its intended goal of minimizing pollutants. Other preferable targets are SUVs and trucks because they have a higher wheelbase, making it easy for thieves to slip under and cut out the converter or unbolt it.

2. Park in well-lit areas as close to a building entrance as possible or, preferably, inside a garage. This will help prevent thieves from getting close to your vehicle and make it more likely they will be seen.
3. Take your car to a local mechanic to have anti-theft devices installed, such as steel shields, rebar cages, and/or stainless steel cables. This makes it far more difficult for thieves to steal using conventional tools and costs far cheaper at $250 to $800 than replacing a stolen catalytic converter, which can run up to $5,000!

4. Paint your catalytic converter. Use high-temperature fluorescent orange paint and inscribe your VIN on the surface. This makes it traceable and, theoretically, a reputable scrap metal dealer might decline to buy it. It also helps police when they are able to follow up on these thefts.

5. Set an alarm. Don’t turn up the sensitivity, or else you’ll be hearing it go off every time a cat brushes against it or a firework bursts nearby. Instead, calibrate your alarm for when the vehicle is titled, such as when being jacked up by would-be thieves. You can also install motion-sensitive dash cams that can sometimes capture critical information and even be tied to an alert on your phone so you know when a crime is in progress. This is often very useful when paired with motion-sensitive driveway lights or similar automatic illumination.

6. Check your car insurance. Comprehensive coverage covers stolen parts, but if you’re only paying for liability coverage, you may have to pay the costs of a stolen catalytic converter and any related damage out-of-pocket. The best option is to get full coverage, which is usually required for new cars and leases, so you only have to pay a deductible. If you think your car is especially at risk, consider changing your policy to lower your deductible.

Now, while you might not be able to tell if your catalytic converter was stolen just by looking at your car, there will be no mistaking it once you start the engine. When it has been removed, your vehicle will make a loud roaring sound, getting louder as you push on the gas. Since the exhaust isn’t working properly, the vehicle also drives rougher than usual. You’ll hear a sputtering sound as you change speed. On a normal vehicle, a catalytic converter is a round canister that connects two pieces of piping in the exhaust. If you look underneath and see a gaping space in the middle of your exhaust, then your catalytic converter has been stolen.

Whatever you do, don’t try to attack or detain thieves! The monetary cost is never worth the risk to anyone's life and safety. Call the non-emergency number to report the incident and then contact your insurance to file a claim.

Lastly, please contact our elected officials at citycouncil@sanleandro.org and ask them to fund a reimbursement and etching program for residents to protect their vehicles. We also need to provide informational pamphlets for all of our neighbors, particularly those who aren’t fluent in English.

In the meantime, you can learn more about catalytic converter thefts at: The New York Times, NPR, NerdWallet, Mercury News, and Carparts.

Take note and take care.