Catalytic converted theft in YYC

[White Out 403]

https://globalnews.ca/news/9205403/c...to-centre/amp/

Calgary driver warns others after being on the hook for catalytic converter stolen at auto centre

This story is particular outrageous. I can't believe this woman was forced to file a 2nd claim!

[Delthefunky]

Apparently more common than I realized -- happening a lot in BC. My truck was in a hit/run earlier this year and when I talked to ICBC on the phone the lady doing my claim said someone just stole her cat. converter the night before :/. I've heard of it happening to a few people since.

[Ironhorse]

This has been happening in Calgary for a while now. Especially trucks are vulnerable as they have more ground clearance. My boss bought a new Sprinter delivery van last winter, and his delivery was delayed due to it having the cat sawn off while on the lot the night before.

[DoubleK]

They've been hitting cars at my office. Thankfully the company stepped up and put in one of those camera trailers that look like a light plant for a construction site.

Seems like a lot of destruction for not much financial reward.

[edslunch]

My friend had his RV’s cat converter stolen while in RV storage

[PaperBagger'14]

The boss makes a grand,
You make a buck.
Steal the catalytic converter,
From the company truck

[Geraldsh]

Those cats sell for several thousand dollars, depending on size of course, and it takes only 2 minutes to rip one out. The meth heads are crazy but they are not stupid.

[WhiteTiger]

Yeah, it's a big problem. I'd have thought that the company that had care and control of it would be responsible, but:

“I said you had care and control of my vehicle but they used the argument that articles left inside or outside of the vehicle are not their responsibility. It was attached to my vehicle.”

That's a pretty novel take. I'd ask them what constitutes a car, then? Is the engine outside of the vehicle since it's not part of the metal chassis, just attached to it? How about tires? Is an axle part of a car, or an 'article on the outside'. This could open a hella can of worms.

[White Out 403]

Originally Posted by WhiteTiger

Yeah, it's a big problem. I'd have thought that the company that had care and control of it would be responsible, but:



That's a pretty novel take. I'd ask them what constitutes a car, then? Is the engine outside of the vehicle since it's not part of the metal chassis, just attached to it? How about tires? Is an axle part of a car, or an 'article on the outside'. This could open a hella can of worms.

after the pricks got shamed and named in public by the news they agreed to pay her back the 500, and not count the claim against her

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

They've been hitting cars at my office. Thankfully the company stepped up and put in one of those camera trailers that look like a light plant for a construction site.

Seems like a lot of destruction for not much financial reward.

It's a little work for good money, actually. That's why it's so common.

[Mr.Coffee]

Yeah this happened to me and my truck and it sucked a lot. Without the truck for 6 weeks as so many cat converters are being stolen that there is that much of a back log. We had it covered by insurance but I think I calculated that, with the rental and damages and repairs, etc. it was about almost $5000 in total damage. Some trucks have 2 of them and both were stolen off mine.

It’s a bit crazy manufacturers have not made them borderline impossible to steal. I think you can install cages or protection, I’ve even heard of some people installing just some chicken wire which makes it harder for people to steal them. The speed with which people can steal them is equally impressive, insurance company said people can get them out in under 5 mins.

You’d think something is going to give on this. No way insurance companies continue to insure this stuff and perhaps then manufacturers will do something about it.

[ZedMan]

They are a lot harder to steal on many modern vehicles because they are often packaged up near the engine (which allows the catalyst to heat up faster). Doesn't really help all that much though with all the existing vehicles out there.

What they really need to do is crack down on places buying stolen cats.

[Northendzone]

a neighbor of mine runs a wood shop and he had a couple of thefts from his work truck. he commented on how he might hire the thieves as thier cuts were very straight.

has anyone heard how much the materials in converters are worth when you sell them at a place that buys them?

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

a neighbor of mine runs a wood shop and he had a couple of thefts from his work truck. he commented on how he might hire the thieves as thier cuts were very straight.

has anyone heard how much the materials in converters are worth when you sell them at a place that buys them?

Really depends, I think an average of $500 or so. My dad took his in from a Forester, and it was only $50, but it was pretty small. And I don't think people are stealing those!

[metallicat]

Part of the issue is it’s very hard to charge people for this unless they’re caught in the act. Arrest a guy with a converter? Well, prove it’s stolen. Who’s the complainant? Selling them at a scrap yard? Prove they’re stolen. And even if you can catch someone in the act (mischief, possession of stolen property) it’s a slap on the wrist and they’re back at it the next day. Why wouldn’t the methheads do this?

[CaptainCrunch]

Put a anti-tamper censor by your CC and pack the bottom of your car with C4 and marbles. Yeah you might destroy your car, but at least you'll take the bastards with you.

[speede5]

Originally Posted by metallicat

Part of the issue is it’s very hard to charge people for this unless they’re caught in the act. Arrest a guy with a converter? Well, prove it’s stolen. Who’s the complainant? Selling them at a scrap yard? Prove they’re stolen. And even if you can catch someone in the act (mischief, possession of stolen property) it’s a slap on the wrist and they’re back at it the next day. Why wouldn’t the methheads do this?

Get your vin etched on the cat.

I saw a municipality that recently made it illegal to have a loose cat which could help, probably not, but having to prove it is yours legally may help a bit.

Make salvage yards only be able to buy/sell complete cat assemblies, not cut up ones. Hard to enforce but if you don't want to get caught with one that's cut it might help.

And it's not methheads, it's organized crime. These guys have tools and vehicles, spotters etc. They are not tweakers they are cold sober thieves.

I met a guy a couple years ago when I sold him a bunch of cats off my yard collection and he actually was breaking them down himself and selling the raw internal material, so some of this wouldn't matter if they want to do some of the hard work. But anything helps.

[chedder]

On etching your vin into the cat, don't the buyers just take them apart and melt them to get the platinum out of them? I know you can buy plates that bolt on to make them harder to get at.

[Swayze11]

My brother in law has an older van and his got taken in Beddington.

They must have got spooked because they left the sawzall behind.

[you&me]

Originally Posted by Swayze11

My brother in law has an older van and his got taken in Beddington.

They must have got spooked because they left the sawzall behind.

The sawzall was probably stolen too, and they'll just steal another.