Catalytic converter theft...

lihpster said:
Extremely redneck, but would work.
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Love the gator. Have so many around here ,not a bad idea.
In reality going to be like selling old HVAC condensers, have to have an HVAC license or no recycling place will/ can buy them. Few years ago found lots of scrap brass, several 1000 assorted berdan primed rifle cases from MG shoot. Threw all brass in 5 gal. buckets and off to sell, yea, right. Went to 3 places before one would take " bullet cases", ignorance can be cured but stupid is slam to the bone.
 
I imagine the insurance companies could solve this, and eventually might. But maybe after the deductible it's just not a big enough deal to them.

Years ago when they were stealing every T-top off every Firebird the insurance industry got together and refused to pay for anything other than an OEM replacement. That killed the used market and stopped 90% of it in short order.
 
Don't care.

glenwolde said:
I imagine the insurance companies could solve this, and eventually might. But maybe after the deductible it's just not a big enough deal to them.

Years ago when they were stealing every T-top off every Firebird the insurance industry got together and refused to pay for anything other than an OEM replacement. That killed the used market and stopped 90% of it in short order.
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I don't think it's a problem for insurance companies.

We had a $2000 repair. Our deductible is $500.

I'm not turning in a $1500 claim to have my insurance rates go up.

Sometimes you just have to eat it.
 
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While reading this thread an interesting thought struck me (at least to me).

I have always thought that as technology advances and changes it is a good idea to try and keep up with it in your career to maintain your income and standard of living. I'm quite sure with the decline of the horse and carriage that buggy whip and horse thieves fell on hard times.
Now that catalytic converters seem to be a prime target, what will today's thieves do to make a dishonest living with the rather rapid availability of electric vehicles? I would think there must be some parts on those vehicles worth of recycling. It will be interesting to see how the nefarious crowd adapts to this newer technology.
 
zzclancy said:
I don't think it's a problem for insurance companies.

We had a $2000 repair. Out deductible is $500.

I'm not turning in a $1500 claim to have my insurance rates go up.

Sometimes you just have to eat it.
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For a lot of people an unplanned $1,500 is a lot of money, and it is what you pay the insurance for.

It's been bad in Denver for a bit. Friend just had hers stolen off of her 2006 Tundra, currently on week three of a rental as they find a replacement.
 
There is a very simple solution to all of exhaust thefts...... Buy a TESLA.
 
hsguy said:
While reading this thread an interesting thought struck me (at least to me).

I have always thought that as technology advances and changes it is a good idea to try and keep up with it in your career to maintain your income and standard of living. I'm quite sure with the decline of the horse and carriage that buggy whip and horse thieves fell on hard times.
Now that catalytic converters seem to be a prime target, what will today's thieves do to make a dishonest living with the rather rapid availability of electric vehicles? I would think there must be some parts on those vehicles worth of recycling. It will be interesting to see how the nefarious crowd adapts to this newer technology.
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I asked the question on the internet and got the following...

How do you dispose of an electric car battery?
Step 1 Dispose of an electric car battery at your local recycling center since many parts of the battery can be recycled. Call first to check if they accept electric car batteries. Step 2 Dispose of your electric car battery in your regular trash if desired.
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I'd be a little hesitant about using step two even if I had the means to remove it. :D
 
As bad as the catalytic converter thefts are, some of the East Texas scum have taken to stealing veteran's grave markers. And even worse than the ***s that steal them are the recyclers that buy them. What possible excuse can the scumbag thief use - it is my granddaddy's but he has resurrected and no longer needs the marker? My father-in-law's was stolen from his grave in Oak Shade Cemetery in Cleveland, TX. The VA will not replace it. I hope both the thief and the recycler rot in hell!
 
This has been going on for a long time. Before I retired about ten years ago I heard a saw going about 2:00 a.m. I finally located the noise and found a guy under a truck cutting the converter off. He already had 15 of them in the back of his truck. He agreed to be wired and we recorded him telling the buyer he stole them and busted the buyer also.
 
JDBoardman said:
As bad as the catalytic converter thefts are, some of the East Texas scum have taken to stealing veteran's grave markers. And even worse than the ***s that steal them are the recyclers that buy them. What possible excuse can the scumbag thief use - it is my granddaddy's but he has resurrected and no longer needs the marker? My father-in-law's was stolen from his grave in Oak Shade Cemetery in Cleveland, TX. The VA will not replace it. I hope both the thief and the recycler rot in hell!
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Nothing new. VA grave markers were prime theft targets back in the 1980s. Each one is a few pounds of cast bronze (alloy of copper and tin) and most cemeteries have lots of them displayed. In some rural communities the VA markers are stolen almost as quickly as they are installed. Hand sledge, cold chisel, a few minutes each to break them off the marble or concrete.

A recycler with a decent furnace can reduce the markers to untraceable metal in no time. Break them up into small pieces or smash them to destroy the detail, impossible to trace.

Very few thieves have much in the way of decency or respect.
 
It is almost an epimedemic here.

I have to deal with attempts almost every day where I work. The suspects are getting more and more brazen and will often thell you the police will do nothing and they "will be back out on the streets this afternoon".

They are getting to where they will not back down and will fight to get these things. They often travel in multiple groups to the point I would consider it organized crime.
 
Stevens said:
Seems some of them jack up the car to steal the converter. Once in a while the car falls on the thief, some have been crushed, ain't that sad.
Steve W
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We had something similar a few years ago. A crew of four would come onto a lot and take off all the lug nuts on a vehicle. At the count of three each member of the crew would pull on one wheel and the vehicle would hit the ground. They would then throw the wheels into a waiting van and take off or hit another vehicle or two if it didn't alert anyone. We busted a crew one night when one of the crew members got his hand caught under the vehicle. He wasn't going anywhere and his screams alerted a nearby officer. We caught the others as they came back with a jack to try and rescue him. The were well organized and had been doing this in several nearby states. They were primarily after pickup truck tires and wheels and had over 12 sets of them when we found the van. If somebody makes it, somebody will try and steal it.
 
Farther down.......

gjgalligan said:
Might be cheaper to just risk losing your converter.
If I recall correctly there is pretty hefty Federal penalty for doing that.
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I posted that until 2014 I couldn't take the cat out but our government sanctioned tax raid for "aircare" (that is what the 1 and 2 year checks were called) ended December 31st 2014. So I put a 4" turbo back straight system in with a muffler, if they ever bring back the check system I can put it back in easy peasy.
You say federal? Is that EPA? Our feds don't care about our breathing, they just wanted to seize our guns.
 
LoboGunLeather said:
Nothing new. VA grave markers were prime theft targets back in the 1980s. Each one is a few pounds of cast bronze (alloy of copper and tin) and most cemeteries have lots of them displayed. In some rural communities the VA markers are stolen almost as quickly as they are installed. Hand sledge, cold chisel, a few minutes each to break them off the marble or concrete.

A recycler with a decent furnace can reduce the markers to untraceable metal in no time. Break them up into small pieces or smash them to destroy the detail, impossible to trace.

Very few thieves have much in the way of decency or respect.
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Heard of this too. I'm not a believer in much of anything post death, and I'm very much in the camp of "when I'm dead, I don't care, use me for the HOV lane or toss me", but short of hurting a living person, I've got a tough time thinking of a scummier past time than stealing grave markers. I get poverty, I get addiction, I get people thinking thieving is OK (even if I fully disagree and think thievery is unacceptable), but man, if you start considering stealing grave markers, it's time to check yourself in somewhere.
 
"but man, if you start considering stealing grave markers, it's time to check yourself in somewhere."

World would be a lot better off if they'd check themselves out.

(I'm just sayin'...) ;)

John
 
I think Old Blue's catalytic converter is pretty much a useless appendage by now. Years back around the 350,000 mark the light came on indicating that it was near it's usefull life and that I would experience decreased engine performance to the point where it would have to be replaced. Well, the light gave up and went off and 100,000 later I'm still waiting for the decreased engine performance. :rolleyes: I know a guy way back in the woods with an inspection shop that I get my sticker from. They are interested in working headlights wipers and insurance down here. He won't inspect a car unless he knows you.
 
Gary we had a local shade tree, car-chopping mechanic when the catalytic converters first came out that would cut them off and weld in straight pipe. It would increase HP and performance substantially. He had a big dumpster full of catalytic converters that I think be buried someplace periodically. I can only imagine the value now.
 
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