{"id":357018,"date":"2021-10-23T17:12:04","date_gmt":"2021-10-23T14:12:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/catalytic-converter-theft-quadruples-in-one-year\/"},"modified":"2023-12-08T14:48:36","modified_gmt":"2023-12-08T11:48:36","slug":"catalytic-converter-theft-quadruples-in-one-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/catalytic-converter-theft-quadruples-in-one-year\/","title":{"rendered":"#Catalytic converter theft quadruples in one year"},"content":{"rendered":"
Theft of catalytic converters is off the charts in the city, according to the NYPD. – Christopher Sadowski<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

These criminals better not let the tree-huggers catch them.<\/p>\n

Sawzall-wielding thieves hacking away at parked cars sent thefts of a key pollution-cleaning part through the roof in the past year.<\/p>\n

Through Oct. 10, 2,170 catalytic converters were reported stolen in the five boroughs, more than four times the 501 ripped off through the same date in 2020, the NYPD said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe whole process takes under two minutes,\u201d Detective Thomas Kelly of the Auto Crimes Unit told The Post.<\/p>\n

Catalytic converters, part of a car\u2019s exhaust system, break down some of the smog that would otherwise come out the tailpipe.<\/p>\n

They\u2019re a thief magnet because they include rare metals like rhodium, palladium and platinum, which trade for four and five figures per ounce. Converters typically include 3 to 7 grams of these precious metals, Ryan Lockwood, a Carparts.com executive, told the Post.<\/p>\n

Thieves will take the parts to smelters or scrapyards or sell them on the black market. They can cost thousands to replace.<\/p>\n

Catalytic converters contain rare metals like rhodium, palladium and platinum. – DCPI<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Toyota Priuses are particular targets because they have up to three \u201ccats,\u201d depending on the model year, and because low-emission vehicle parts are often in better condition. Honda\u2019s CRV crossover is another common target, according to State Farm.<\/p>\n

Auto Crimes Detective Thomas Burke said it\u2019s a tough crime to solve, because it\u2019s impossible to trace a cat once it\u2019s removed. He collared one habitual thief who targeted Ford Econoline vans in Long Island City by luck.<\/p>\n

The crook would ride around\u00a0<\/strong>the neighborhood on a bike with a reciprocating saw, hit a van, throw the part in his backpack and ride off. Cops caught him on surveillance video, and were able to identify him. \u201cShould he have been stopped two blocks away, not a lot could have been done,\u201d Kelly said.<\/p>\n

Burke is starting a program funded by the city\u2019s Police Foundation to label catalytic converters with serial numbers so they can be traced.<\/p>\n

One youngish Brooklynite, who asked not to be identified, said his girlfriend\u2019s \u201cold\u201d Prius fell victim over the summer. \u201cWe went to move for alternate side parking, started it up, and it sounded like a monster truck,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

TIPS TO AVOID FALLING VICTIM:<\/p>\n