Catalytic converter thefts have soared during the pandemic as drivers drive less and leave their cars unattended. Thieves can steal this antipollution device in a matter of minutes and sell it to scrap metal dealers for several hundred dollars for the precious metals it contains.
A catalytic converter replacement can cost as much as $3,000 for the often-targeted Toyota Prius, says Colby Sandman, owner of Muffler Tech in Sacramento, California, who saw an uptick in thefts as the lockdowns took hold. Now, his shop replaces 15 to 20 stolen catalytic converters each day. News headlines and neighborhood forums nationwide report a similar increase in communities big and small.
