$81,558 In Dodge Catalytic Converters Stolen, And The Solution

Police reported in Silver Spring Township, Penn. the theft of $81,558 in catalytic converters from trucks at a Dodge dealership on Carlisle Pike over the week. The thefts took place overnight as 15 catalytic converters were taken from newer model diesel-fueled Dodge trucks. The catalytic converter is underneath the vehicle, ranging from a foot to 16 inches in length, and weighing about ten pounds. Prices range from $150 – $2,000 depending on precious metals content.

Of the stolen catalytic converters, it is likely  that the process did not take long. Two were cut and the rest were unbolted.  The estimated damage to each vehicle averages about $54,000.

The precious metals content of catalytic converters is no secret. Dodge’s have been targeted more than this most recent excursion, and namely their diesel trucks.

Dodge service desks have been bombarded by such phone calls about thieves nabbing their Dodge Ram diesel catalytic converters. Toyota’s to be sure remain the most popular target of thieves.

Stockton, California’s Dodge service direction reported in October that his shop has replaced or is in the process of replacing 26 stolen catalytic converters in the past month and a half alone.

California auto shops have reported an uptick in diesel converter installations, as back then a auto shop owner said that he had installed four new Dodge Ram diesel converters and provided quotes for another six.  Another Northern California auto shop owner said he had installed two or three in the past month. Prior to that, his shop had never installed a Dodge Ram diesel converter.

Catalytic converters were first required in 1975 to reduce toxic emissions produced by vehicles.

In one month (November-December, 2012) Stockton police logged 55 reports of stolen catalytic converters, a rate that kept study the year throughout.  11 of those reports were off of Dodge trucks, however Toyotas are the most popular target, with 38 reports in the five weeks prior to the December 9 report. To be sure, Toyota has a considerable share of the US car market. The Sequioia has two or more catalytic converters per vehicle, and is most often victimized.

For about $100, you can have the undercarriage of your vehicle rebarred and welded so as to prevent theft.

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