Watch Thieves steal 15 catalytic converters from Jacobs Mitsubishi
Thefts of Catalytic converters are on the rise as criminals try to profit from the metals they are constructed of.
After breaking into a Pasco County vehicle dealership and stealing more than a dozen Catalytic Converters, police have warned that these thieves are targeting the Tampa Bay area.
The two robbers broke into Jacobs Mitsubishi in New Port Richey on the evening of June 10.
According to surveillance footage, the thieves quickly cut out the catalytic converter by crawling underneath the car.
Owner of Jacobs Mitsubishi Daniel Jacobs said, “They went to go start a customer’s car and all of a sudden, it sounded insanely loud since there was no catalytic converter.”
15 catalytic converters, or around $50,000 worth, according to Jacobs, were taken from his lot.
It’s challenging not only because of the cost but also because every item is back ordered. Therefore, we currently have 15 cars in our lot that we might not be able to restore for six or seven months, according to Jacobs.
A catalytic converter is a device that helps convert pollutants in exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine into harmless compounds. It is typically made of platinum and palladium. Without a catalytic converter, a car would produce more harmful emissions, Thekillerpunch
Other Bay Area businesses can also be the target of these thieves. If the same pair struck a store in Pinellas County, police are looking into it. The robbers fled the scene of both incidents in a comparable white automobile.
It’s an Infiniti G50 in white. It’s colored, lowered, and appears to have rims as well, according to Jacobs.
Jacobs is hoping that someone will come forward and help stop the two suspects or the car before they commit another crime.
Hopefully, Jacobs added, “we can capture them with the film of their cars and evidence of them strolling around here so they don’t do anything else to other dealerships.”
If the thieves are apprehended, Jacobs will pay a $5,000 prize; if the parts are returned, he will provide a $10,000 reward.
Call the New Port Richey Police Department at 727-841-4550 if you have any information. END
What is catalytic converters
The catalytic converter is a device that is installed in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine to improve emissions. The catalyst is a coating on the inside surface of the converter that reduces air pollution.
Catalytic converters are also called HC (hydrocarbon) converters, and they were first used in the early 1970s. Today, catalytic converters have become ubiquitous on new vehicles, but they’re not required by all states or provinces.
When catalytic converters were first introduced, they were known as “catalytic reactors.” They had a separate element called a ‘reactor’ which was made from non-metallic materials. The reactor would be heated and compressed, causing it to break down components of the exhaust gases. The resulting gas mixture would then pass through a second element which would capture some of these components and release them into an oxidizer (i.e., air). This oxidizer was then used to heat up another component of the engine for another cycle of reactions.
Over time, it was discovered that using metal catalysts in place of non-metallic reactors drastically reduced emissions by as much as 90%. It also allowed catalytic converters to be used in other applications besides just reducing NOx emissions from vehicles’ engines; they became known as “aftertreatment systems.” These systems include things like:
exhaust recirculation systems (type II)
lean burners (type I)
How do catalytic converters work?
Catalytic converters attach to the exhaust pipe before it exits your vehicle, and they trap fumes as they travel through them. The fumes become “activated” when they come into contact with these coatings inside the converter. As long as these coatings are clean and functioning properly, they will trap most of the harmful gases emitted by your engine.
However, if you damage these coatings or if they become clogged up with dirt and debris, then you may have to replace your catalytic converter more often than you should have to!
How Catalytic Converters Thieves Make Money from Stolen Catalytic Converters
Platinum, palladium, and rhodium, the precious metals present in the anti-pollution devices, are targeted by thieves in the hopes of making a quick buck.
According to McDonold, they can earn anywhere from $50 to $300 for a typical catalytic converter. Hybrid car ones can get up to $1,500 on the open market.
Why are they hybrids? It’s because a hybrid’s catalytic converter requires more valuable metals. Because hybrid engines are not used as frequently, their exhaust does not heat up as much.
Notably, none of this action has anything to do with the original automakers. Since 1975, the majority of non-commercial automobiles must have catalytic converters as an emissions-control technology. These lists show that thieves target a wide range of vehicles, regardless of the size, age, or nation of origin of the automaker.
So what are these precious metal hunters’ primary targets vehicles?
Top Cars Catalytic Converter Thieves Target Most
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, catalytic converter thefts have “significantly increased,” according to the NICB.
A catalytic converter is a component of the exhaust system of a car. Its function is to change the harmful exhaust gases that an engine emits into gases that are better for the environment.
For their valuable metals that can be sold quickly, thieves steal converters.
According to CARFAX, these are the top targets for thieves nationally.
Here are the top targets for thieves nationwide for catalytic converter.
- 1990-2022 Ford Econoline vans
- 1999-2021 Chevrolet Silverado pickup trucks
- 2001-2021 Toyota Prius
- 2005-2021 Chevrolet Equinox
- 1985-2021 Ford F-Series pickup trucks (F-150, F-250, etc.)
- 1989-2020 Honda Accord
- 1997-2020 Honda CR-V
- 1987-2019 Toyota Camry
- 2007-2017 Jeep Patriot
- 2011-2017 Chrysler 200
- 2008-2014 Dodge Avenger
How to protects you car from Catalytic Converter Thieves
Some Catalytic Converter Thieves protections are just common sense.
- Particularly when it comes to fleet vehicles, which many businesses possess, park in a well-lit location.
- Instead of parking in the driveway or on the street, use your garage.
- Always pay attention to the area where your car is parked.
- Install an anti-theft device for catalytic converters.
- Consider installing motion sensor security lights if you must park in a driveway. The NICB asserts that while lights might not offer total security, they might deter some burglars.
- Have the converter sprayed with highly visible, high-heat paint, then have the converter’s VIN etched on it by a muffler shop. By doing this, law enforcement is able to follow the converters, which may help them find the thieves.
- Try Welding your catalytic converter to the car frame, it can make it harder to be remove.
How much are thieves getting for a catalytic converter?
Catalytic converter thieves are making around $50 to $300 for normal catalytic converter and around $1500 for hybrid catalytic converter.
Can a car run without a catalytic converter?
The answer is yes, a car run without a catalytic converter, but it’s not advisable. A catalytic converter is responsible for reducing harmful emissions from a car’s engine. Without it, your car would produce more harmful pollutants that can damage the environment. Additionally, your car’s engine will have to work harder without a catalytic converter, which can lead to decreased fuel efficiency and increased wear and tear.
Can I drive my car if the catalytic converter has been stolen?
Yes you can drive your car if catalytic converter has been stolen
A car can run without a catalytic converter, but it will not run as efficiently. The catalytic converter is responsible for converting harmful gases into less harmful gases. Without it, the car will produce more harmful gases.
However, if you’re caught operating a car without one due to environmental protection rules, you may be subject to some severe fines.
Why do thieves steal catalytic converters?
Thieves target these catalytic converters because they are rare and expensive to find on the open market.
Catalytic converters are devices that convert the chemical energy of exhaust gases into thermal and electrical energy. These devices go under a lot of pressure and are susceptible to wear and tear which makes them attractive targets for thieves.
The main reasons why thieves steal catalytic converters is because they can be turned into scrap metal for money, the metal content in them is worth more than the materials used to make them, or to avoid detection from law enforcement by removing all traces of a crime so they can evade capture.
Does removing catalytic converter affect engine?
Removing a catalytic converter from the engine can have a negative effect on the engine. Catalytic converters are added to the car to get rid of pollutants coming out of the exhaust.
Catalytic converters are important to have in your car, they clean up gases coming out of your exhaust and as a result, lower pollution levels. Removing one can cause more pollutants to come out of your tailpipe, which will then travel into the environment and harm it.
They are put to use to reduce the level of harmful emissions produced by vehicles like carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. Catalytic converters are critical for protecting human health and environment (EPA).
Catalytic converter costly to replace and they can also cause a vehicle’s engine performance to decline over time. The EPA has found that catalytic converter can reduce fuel economy by up 10 percent due to their restrictive nature.
How to remove catalytic converter
To remove this, one needs to locate the catalytic converter within their car, disconnect it, and then take it out.
There’s a chance that you might have to remove your catalytic converter at some point. Catalytic converters are the most common item on a car that someone will need to replace on their own. They’re also the most commonly removed part, and can be easily replaced by most people.
The first step to removing a catalytic converter is to understand what it is, why it needs replacing, and how it should be replaced.
As you may know, exhaust gases from gasoline engines contain toxic chemicals that are harmful to humans and animals. These chemicals can cause breathing problems, lung irritation, and pneumonia in people who work near them for long periods of time or live in close proximity to them. The catalytic converter was created as an exhaust after-treatment device because it took these toxic chemicals. Watch the below video on How to remove catalytic converter
Video: How to remove catalytic converter
Does insurance cover catalytic converter theft?
Insurance policies do not cover catalytic converter theft because they are not considered part of the car’s standard equipment. The only coverage that is available is through special insurance policies which typically require an additional fee on top of the standard car insurance price.
But, Theft of a catalytic converter is often covered by comprehensive coverage on your vehicle insurance policy. The cost of replacing the stolen converter and fixing any damage it caused might be covered by comprehensive insurance. To make sure you are covered in the case of a theft like this, it is crucial to confirm your coverages with your existing insurance agent. Comprehensive insurance, despite its name, does not provide complete coverage.
