It has happened hundreds of times on South Bend streets.
Bold and brazen thieves are earning cold hard cash stealing one valuable car part.
A catalytic converter is a device under a vehicle that controls exhaust pollutants, making them less toxic.
South Bend Police Captain Jason Biggs knows catalytic converter theft is a growing crime.
Very easy to do, very quick to do, and it’s hard to catch,” said Biggs.
Since 2020, there have been over 660 converter thefts in the city alone.
From 2020 to 2021, reports of the thefts more than doubled, up 72% in just one year.
Trevor Garland, a manager at Zolman Tire said repairs for missing converters are happening more often – sometimes several times a week.
The shop noticed as mineral prices jumped, so did the number of thefts.
“They were getting between $300 to $600 at the scrapyard per converter,” said Garland.
There are several precious metals found in the converters: platinum, palladium, and rhodium.
Researchers at CARFAX told WSBT 22 that platinum in recent years traded for as much as $970 per ounce.
The price of palladium traded for more than $1300 an ounce, and as much as $10,000 an ounce for Rhodium.
Most Targeted Vehicles
The type of car you drive could make you a bigger target for thieves.
Some models, like hybrids and larger vehicles, have more of those valuable minerals
That hybrid engine doesn’t get as hot as a conventional engine,” said Patrick Olsen, CARFAX Editor in Chief. “So there needs to be more of the special metals the rhodium, the platinum, palladium inside a hybrid catalytic converter and that turns into more money once that’s stolen.
Olsen said converters in most hybrids, like the Prius, earn thieves four times as much compared to a gas-powered car or truck.
It's among the most targeted vehicles in the Midwest.
Protecting Your Vehicle from Thieves
“First let me just say to anyone who’s got a car, and is worried about this, there is no silver bullet,” said Olsen.
To help protect your car, Capt. Biggs said there are some things you can do to lower your chances of having your converter stolen.
One of the big things to consider is to watch where you park.
Clearly, if you’re outside, you’re exposed,” said Biggs.
Biggs recommends parking in a garage.
He suggests parking in a well-lit area near cameras and close to the business if you are out in public.
Biggs also suggests using anti-theft devices for your converter.
Olsen said some people have also had their car’s VIN number etched on the converter.
You can see where these thefts are occurring in South Bend in Part Two of our special report.