A catalytic converter is part of a vehicle’s exhaust system that thieves are taking to sell as scrap metal. Between March 9 and 22, there were at least five reported catalytic converter thefts in Fairfield parking lots — three at Mercy Hospital of Fairfield, one at Cincinnati Financial Corporation and one at Fairfield Bowling Lanes.
All thefts occurred sometime between 6 a.m. and 9:45 p.m., according to Fairfield police reports.
“It’s such an easy thing to accomplish,” said Fairfield Police Chief Mike Dickey. “A battery operated saw can take it off in under two minutes.”
Once removed, the catalytic converters are exchanged for cash at scrap yards and auto businesses.
“They’re worth anywhere from $2.50 to $200,” said Mike Chard, manager of Garden Street Iron and Metal in Cincinnati. His business pays a flat rate of $50 per converter.
“We don’t pay big money down here. I would say the people stealing, instead of to a scrap yard, probably are (selling) to someone higher up in the chain. They are skipping scrap yards,” he said.
Chard said catalytic converters from foreign cars are worth more money, as foreign auto manufacturers use better materials inside the converter — rodium, platinum and palladium — with more concentrated amounts.
Of the five reported thefts in Fairfield, all catalytic converters were removed from Toyotas, according to reports.
While a thief may ultimately walk away with a maximum of $200, vehicle repairs for the victim can cost thousands.
Laura Lloyd, service adviser at Performance Toyota on Ohio 4, said a new catalytic converter can cost about $1,000.
“We’ve had a lot of them in here. We’ve had at least 10 in the last couple weeks,” Lloyd said. “It’s definitely an increase.”
She said the converters appear to be taken off the same way — simply cut off — and said there is essentially nothing car owners can do to avoid becoming a target or victim.
Trucks and SUVs are popular targets, as thieves have quicker and easier access to the converters because of the vehicle’s proximity from the ground, she said.
Jim Seibert Automotive repair co-owner Jim Seibert said it only takes someone about a minute to remove a catalytic converter with an electric saw, “which doesn’t make a lot of noise.”
“Anyone can do it who knows what they’re looking at. They don’t need to be trained,” he said.
With stealing them being quick and easy and the part so accessible, Dickey said the Fairfield Police Department works to be proactive, but there is little that can be done. He said so far this year, the FPD has had six reported thefts, and in 2010, there were 29.
“It’s like shoplifters — they are all over the place. Lots of people do it, and I don’t think you can identify a specific individual. If you make an arrest, there are dozens of other people doing it,” he said.
In what Dickey calls not only a local or state problem, but also a national problem, the FPD is in a group of regional police agencies assigned to monitor scrap metal dealers. Regulations are also in place for scrap metal dealers, who are required to keep sales records.
To prevent becoming a victim, and to help police catch thieves, Dickey urged residents to contact the police department if they notice anything unusual, especially in parking lots.
“People have to be situationally aware. One of the thing police departments constantly run into is people who see something, aren’t sure if it’s right, but don’t want to bother the police department because they have more important things to do.
“Please, bother us. That’s what we’re here for. If you see someone working on a car in the middle of a shopping center parking lot, call the police,” he said.
Contact this reporter at (513) 483-5237 or kcano@coxohio.com.
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