Recent reports show a noticeable uptick in catalytic converter thefts in Alamance County.
Catalytic converters are devices located on the bottom of newer cars meant to reduce air pollution. They contain rare metals such as platinum, making them expensive and easy to resell.
According to JDPower.com, an average catalytic converter is worth $800 to $1,200. Some are worth much more than that, costing thousands of dollars.
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Catalytic converters are also easy to steal. Someone can jack up a car, use a battery-operated saw and have the part removed within a matter of minutes. Most of these thefts occur at night, said Burlington police Sgt. Josh Light.
Lt. Brad Hall said the Alamance County Sheriff's Office has had an average of two or three reports of catalytic converter thefts per week. Light said Burlington police have seen an increased amount of thefts over the past six months.
These thefts aren't just happening in Alamance County as catalytic converter thefts have spiked nationally. The National Insurance Crime Bureau reported that on average 282 converters were stolen nationally each month in 2019. By the end of 2020, that number reached 2,347. From January through May 2021, the average was more than 5,000 a month.
These thefts have increased recently due to a shortage in rare metals, which caused the cost of catalytic converters to increase, USA TODAY reported.
Catalytic converter thefts are hard to investigate, Hall said, because most catalytic converters don't have identifying markings.
"If we don't have any way to identify these catalytic converters, it's very hard for us to prove exactly where it comes from to know which victim a catalytic converter belongs to," Hall said.
The sheriff's office and Burlington police provided tips for how residents can protect themselves against catalytic converter theft:
- Park under light poles and near other cars if possible.
- If parking a vehicle outside, consider hanging security cameras pointed toward your vehicle.
- Consider painting your catalytic converter with fluorescent, heat-withstanding paint. This can make it easy to identify and less attractive to those trying to steal the parts.
- Purchase an anti-theft device for catalytic converters. These cost $200 to $300 but are much cheaper than the cost to replace one if it's stolen.
- Purchase a security alarm for your vehicle that detects motion or noise, including if the vehicle is lifted with a jack.
- Some car dealerships stamp catalytic converters with a unique number or identifying marks to track it if it's stolen.
To report information on a catalytic converter theft, contact the Burlington Police Department at 336-229-3500 or the Alamance County Sheriff's Office at 336-570-6300. For anonymous methods, call Alamance County Crimestoppers at 336-229-7100 or use the mobile App P3 Tips or www.p3tips.com. Tips provided through Crimestoppers may be eligible for cash rewards.
Breaking news reporter Rachel Berry can be reached at rberry@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @racheldberry.
This article originally appeared on Times-News: Catalytic converter thefts are spiking in Alamance County| Here are tips to protect your car
