Catalytic converter theft

Just crazy how much of this theft is going around. Both of my vehicles show up on the top 15 most targeted list. I feel like it’s more of a not if but when situation. Anoka county sherif reported last week they are on pace for 2000 reported thefts this year in anoka County. I’m sure Hennepin and Ramsey County will have higher numbers. Anyone taking ant precautions? I know they sell after market skid plates but they aren’t all that cheap….

Would like to see them increase the penalty for this crime to try and dissuade people but it’s hard to catch them in the act when all it takes is about 30 seconds for some jerk *** with a sawzall to grab your cat and drive off

What ever you do if you see someone in the process of taking one do not try to stop them, you will most likely do more time then them. A friend of mine has a spare vehicle that he parks outside and he went to start it the other day and sure enough it was gone. Funny part was a year prior it was clogged so he took out the internals and welded it back shut so no gain for the thief this time.

Yup I’m aware. I have my conceal and carry and understand the laws around using deadly force. It’s a good reminder though because so many of the comments people make on stories like these goes along the lines of “a 9mm will take care of that problem for ya”. Ya right. That’s a good way to get up and close with bubba

I wouldn’t shoot them. After the bullet exits, you risk hitting your car. I think an acetylene torch to the groin would a better means to stop him and prevent reproduction.

Unfortunately not a lot you can do other than keeping the vehicle in a low risk area. Seems a lot of these guys just use a compact saw and cut everything out.

Police officer said they use a scissors jack and cordless drill total time about 90 seconds. We said a quick push to the car while its one the jack might be able to restrain them until the authorities arrive.

I don’t carry a firearm so shooting a person in the act isn’t realistic. This is a good question though. What would you do if you caught someone doing it? Try to beat the tar out of them or restrain them until authorities arrive?

Park your car in the garage or where its on surveillance is about the best thing you can do to prevent it. Parking on the street or in a location where no one is around is risky.

Very hard crime to catch them in the act. I’ve read the penalties are light because they don’t often catch them in the act but just with stolen goods. Replacement parts are currently 3-5 weeks out. On top of that many are reporting being hit again. So a thief takes your cat, 4 weeks later you get it fixed and they come back and take it again.

My home as a two car garage but it’s not big by any means. Hard to fit a minivan and a truck in there but the more this is being reported the more I’m making an effort to do so

gimruis wrote:

I don’t carry a firearm so shooting a person in the act isn’t realistic. This is a good question though. What would you do if you caught someone doing it? Try to beat the tar out of them or restrain them until authorities arrive?

Park your car in the garage or where its on surveillance is about the best thing you can do to prevent it. Parking on the street or in a location where no one is around is risky.

Kick them right in the teeth

Bearcat89 wrote:

Kick them right in the teeth

It would be extremely difficult for me to restrain myself if I was ever in that situation. I’d honestly probably to a lot more to them than kick them, or at least try to. I do carry a leatherman with a blade on it so a stab to the quad or hamstring followed by a twist so it keeps bleeding might keep em down until the police showed up.

Where is the market for them? Seems suspicious there are places buying so many of these things? What’s the deal?

Catalytic converter theft is common. Primary places to steal are actually big box store lots (friend lost his in Menards lot), unprotected corporate and company manufacturing plant parking lots with defined shift changes and simply cars parked on the street.

They have special tools that cut the pipes in seconds. Rarely do they need to jack up the car.

We had a car parked on the street some 14 months ago – when the part was stolen. Car was almost ready to be junked anyways, but we received $175 to tow it away. It was an old 2001 Accord that had 290K on it. Good runner for one of my children.

Apparently, many stolen are pulled apart in back-alley shops … the precious metals are separated rather than turning in the whole unit at a recycling center or auto yard.

I have emailed and spoke with my MN rep and senator. This should be an easy non-partisan bill to create barriers to selling the parts or even the precious metals and increase deterrent fines and longer jail times for both thieves and middlemen.

We were fine the car was destined for the scrap yard, but what about all those people that have one car or truck, it is old and they do not carry comprehensive insurance … or now have to wait weeks or longer for a replacement.

The guys that pulled our cat converter from the Accord were caught on the neighbor’s camera. Our camera only covers our driveway and front porch area.

The guy that went under the Accord was pretty small … 5’ish and spoke a distinct Asian language. It was clear the getaway car was an older Subaru Forester, but the camera did not get any plate ID.

Police have the video, but I doubt it helps much.

Newer Ford 6.7 diesel converters cost approx $4500. Just had one insured so I know. You don’t even need a jack with a higher truck so a cordless Sawzall and 5 minutes should get them close.
If I was to catch someone in the act I would probably spend alot of time in prison if I was prepared and ready.

Is a catalytic converter worth stabbing someone or spending “a lot” of time in prison?

Matt Moen wrote:

Is a catalytic converter worth stabbing someone or spending “a lot” of time in prison?

I figured it was better than shooting them. Its either that or kick their teeth in lol

Matt Moen wrote:

Is a catalytic converter worth stabbing someone or spending “a lot” of time in prison?

Not at all. But it is worth a swif5 kick.
To bad the question can be reversed, is a cat worth being shot.

Bearcat89 wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Matt Moen wrote:</div>
Is a catalytic converter worth stabbing someone or spending “a lot” of time in prison?

Not at all. But it is worth a swif5 kick.
To bad the question can be reversed, is a cat worth being shot.

The problem is in this scenario the good guy ends up on the short end of the stick every time.

Back to the thread though….there was an Olmstead county guy who just got busted for stealing and selling a bunch of catalytic converters. There is also new legislation in Minneapolis cracking down on it. Not sure if it will help.

The 494 launch on P2 had 14 trucks converters cut off in broad daylight last summer. The St. Paul police really upped their patrols down there. They would drive along the bike path with no lights and watch the lot. Probably just gets the criminals to find a new spot but at least it’s getting attention.

All the tough guys out there watch your backs when u go be tough. Past contractor of mine went up to some thieves taking their company trucks cats and the thieves partner walked up from behind our of nowhere and shot him. Lucky to be alive and well. Just happened couple weeks back.

Deuces wrote:

All the tough guys out there watch your backs when u go be tough. Past contractor of mine went up to some thieves taking their company trucks cats and the thieves partner walked up from behind our of nowhere and shot him. Lucky to be alive and well. Just happened couple weeks back.

You saying If you caught some one under your truck in your yard you would just holler ? Calling the cops would be worthless. I would never shoot or stab that’s non sense. It’s not about being a tough guy.

This is a tough one. I wouldn’t be able to just yell and swear at someone caught in the act, but there’s also a fine line in using deadly force. I agree that calling the police would not really do much unless you could actually restrain the individual.

gimruis wrote:

This is a tough one. I wouldn’t be able to just yell and swear at someone caught in the act, but there’s also a fine line in using deadly force. I agree that calling the police would not really do much unless you could actually restrain the individual.

It’s not a fine line. Deadly force shouldn’t even be considered

Bearcat89 wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>gimruis wrote:</div>
This is a tough one. I wouldn’t be able to just yell and swear at someone caught in the act, but there’s also a fine line in using deadly force. I agree that calling the police would not really do much unless you could actually restrain the individual.

It’s not a fine line. Deadly force shouldn’t even be considered

X2
Anyone with a “permit to carry a pistol” (concealed or otherwise) knows that. And, a knife in the leg?! Thoust watcheth too much TV, me thinks.

Monkey fights always escalate quickly. Good goal: stay out of them?

A couple of slugs in their radiator should slow them down. My son had his stolen while his car was parked in his driveway in Prior Lake, The thieves used a Toyota Prius to glide in unnoticed.

Could shoot out the tire or slice a sidewall. That will slow them down.

I have more to lose than any idiot stealing a catalytic converter. I’d call my insurance guy and be done with it. If they’re not being violent and posing a threat to my family, I’m not doing anything to escalate that situation further. They could come back and torch my house or worse. No thanks, not worth it.

dirtywater wrote:

I have more to lose than any idiot stealing a catalytic converter. I’d call my insurance guy and be done with it. If they’re not being violent and posing a threat to my family, I’m not doing anything to escalate that situation further. They could come back and torch my house or worse. No thanks, not worth it.

Ya I agree. I’ve got a wife and 3 young kids who need me. I’m not running into an unknown situation at 4am, especially when this crime takes mere seconds to pull off and whatever damage they will do is likely already done

Bearcat89 wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Mr.Beads wrote:</div>
All the tough guys out there watch your backs when u go be tough. Past contractor of mine went up to some thieves taking their company trucks cats and the thieves partner walked up from behind our of nowhere and shot him. Lucky to be alive and well. Just happened couple weeks back.

You saying If you caught some one under your truck in your yard you would just holler ? Calling the cops would be worthless. I would never shoot or stab that’s non sense. It’s not about being a tough guy.

Do what you need to do, I simply stated how someone I know almost died from even just yelling.
I have good insurance and quite honestly wouldn’t mind a reason to take a week off tbh

Anonymous wrote:

unfortunately we have problems like these because laws are too weak. you should be able to pop someone steeling anything from you. that would curtail it enough i would think. if not at least it would thin the trash out of society.

if you do shoot you better have some “zimmer marks” on your face.

i would most definitely go out and confront them while on the phone with 911. i have cameras to catch all the action. thieves should be delt with hard!

“Pop” someone for stealing from you? Maybe we should stone them in the town square to make an example of them?

Nobody is shooting someone for stealing from them, shooting out their tires, or putting a couple slugs in their radiator. If you do that, your worse than the criminal stealing the converter.

Call the cops..not worth the escalation for a car part.

Start voting appropriately if you want actual punishment for crimes…

Maybe deadly force should be allowed. A couple of these scum bags take a bullet and word gets out that that could be their fate, you bet your arse this shat would cool down real quick.