Spike in Catalytic Converter Thefts

good thing you moved to the land of honesty

 

That story is four weeks old. Anything new since?

And has anyone heard of this spreading beyond Cali? Beside the UK of course, where it is epidemic.

 

At the end of the video, he says a security cage around the CAT will make it more likely the thieves will be caught. I would think more likely they'll simply move on, to an easier target.

 

Hook up the hybrid battery to the cage. When he touches it, he gets zapped!
Or 120VAC? Or 240?????

 

That might zap the first cat that ducks under the car for shade, as they like to do.

 

If people will keep their cats on a leash like they should, that won't be a problem.

 

maybe this is why hydrogen car builders are trying to make the Platinum stack as small as possible - to reduce the amount of likely thievery.

Joking aside - our housekeeper just had their Honda element Cat cut out, as did my sister about 2 years ago, on her Toyota 4Runner. Thieves mostly like cars that allow quick access underneath - & both of these 2 style cars sit up higher. They also have more Platinum than some other cars, & one has to wonder if that's the case with the Prius as well, even though it sits much lower.
.

 

...Some assembly required.
Works on gardens too.

 

Hope this isn't a repost. I learned of this via a Chevy Bolt Facebook group today dated July 31 2019:
Thieves keep stealing catalytic converters off cars in Berkeley, police warn - SFGate

It points to a story last updated mid-July 2019 at Catalytic converter thefts up in Davis (also California, near Sacramento, probably best known for UC Davis).

And, my dad called me about it since my mom heard about it on Chinese TV news...

Sigh. Perhaps besides the precious metals side, some old Priuses that are past emissions warranties might need replacements cats,. That can come from stolen ones. Gen 2 and 3 Prius were AT-PZEV and thus had a 15 year/150K emissions warranty, at least in CARB states. Not sure about gen 1.