The ordeal of having your catalytic converter stolen has been all-too common in recent years across the country and in the Red River Radio listening area. Just ask theft victims like Shreveport businessman Anthony Cantanese, who describes it as a maddening experience. “I guarantee you get angry, not only for the cost but the hassle. You know, just having to have your vehicle towed to the place and be out of commission for a while.”
Soaring prices for the rare minerals inside the devices make them a valuable and convenient target for thieves looking for a quick payout of hundreds of dollars. From 2019 to 2020 police saw an explosion of thefts of these catalytic converters, the pollution control devices that play an outsized role in the performance of our vehicles.
The total cost of replacing a catalytic converter -after parts, labor and the rental car during repairs - can cost upwards of several thousand dollars. And if you did not have full coverage car insurance, or you have a high deductible then it becomes an even larger strain financially, as well.
Many states have since passed new laws making it a crime to buy, sell, or even possess a second-hand
catalytic converter without a license. Talk to anyone who has had their catalytic converter stolen and they’ll likely tell you all about what happens when you try to start your car. “Boy, I tell you what,” recalls Cantanese, “when he started that car, I heard it from inside. It sounded like, you know, if each vehicle is different from when they started, but mine sounded like a jet engine when he started it. It was loud.” What is even more troubling for Cantanese, his company car was parked right in front of his business in a lit area next to one of the busier intersections of Shreveport. Louisiana lawmakers, for example, passed House Bill 1073, which went into effect August 1, 2022, known as the Louisiana Catalytic Converter Sales Law. The first offense comes with a $500 fine and/or 30-to-60 days in jail. A second offense brings a $2,000 fine and/or two years behind bars. By a third and subsequent violation, it comes to a $10,000 fine and/or five years of jail time.
Bossier City Police Public Information Officer Louis Johnson tells us they have seen a measurable decrease in these kinds of thefts. Statewide, thefts are now down by 77 percent. That’s according to a new analysis by BeenVerified, which describes itself as a public data company. A drop in the price of precious metals also likely played a role. According to Waste Advantage Magazine, the average catalytic converter contains from three to seven grams of platinum, from two to seven grams of palladium and from one to two grams of rhodium. However, their research also shows when compared to 2019 statistics, the thefts are still nearly 21 times higher nationwide.
Car owners have the option of installing anti-theft devices such as protective shields, cages, or plates. Experts recommend cages as the best option, but they are also the most expensive option. Worse, there is often a back-order delay for a new catalytic converter, which only exacerbates the hassle and wait times for repairs.
