Catalytic converter theft in Arizona on the rise

Since the middle of March, Peoria police say 87 catalytic converters have been stolen, including 34 from Younger Brothers Construction.

The 34 thefts occurred from Aug. 22 to Aug. 25, said Mike Tellef, at the media relations office for the Peoria Police and Fire Departments.

Eighty percent of vehicles hit in Peoria are Toyotas, with the Tacoma ranking No. 1, Tellef said. Older models, 1995 to 2001, appear to be targeted more often, he said.

Converter thieves slip under vehicles and with a battery-powered saw, cut through the exhaust pipe or use a ratchet to unfasten the bolts and unscrew the converter, Tellef said.

Thieves steal converters because of the three rare metals found inside:

• Platinum (current value $1,278/oz).

• Rhodium (current value $6,008/oz).

• Palladium (current value $395/oz).

The average converter only contains about 1 to 2 grams of the metals, a maximum of about 7/100th of an ounce, Tellef said. Metal recycling companies pay anywhere from $25 to $150 a piece for converters, he said.

Tellef said to help prevent these thefts, try not to park your vehicle in the driveway of your home or on the street.

Great advice right?! HA!

How sad. It's obvious that they are taking them from trucks because they have the room to crawl under them. The lower to the ground cars are probably fine left in your ow driveway. I guess everyone needs to invest in cameras now...

Thieves stealing catalytic converters in Arizona on the rise

Police say thieves are stealing catalytic converters from vehicles in Arizona and Toyotas are being targeted the most. Crooks are stealing the converters because of the three rare metals found inside -- platinum, rhodium and palladium.

Police say crooks can remove a converter in less than 90 seconds and warned that thefts can happen even while victims are in restaurants, at the movies or shopping. Since the middle of March, Peoria police say approximately 87 catalytic converters have been taken, including 34 from Younger Brothers Construction on Grand Avenue between Aug. 22 and Aug. 25.

In Peoria, 80 percent of vehicles hit are Toyotas with Tacoma being the most targeted. Police say vehicle models between 1995 and 2001 appear to be targeted more often.

Converter thieves slip under vehicles and with a battery-powered saw, cut through the exhaust pipe or use a ratchet to unfasten the bolts and unscrew the converter.

Metal recycling companies pay anywhere from $25 to $150 apiece for converters. Replacement costs for the victim can run upward of $1,300.

Police say to prevent these thefts, try not to park your vehicle in the driveway of your home or on the street. If you see vehicles cruising your neighborhood or parking lots or people under vehicles in parking lots, call the police.

This is also happening in Avondale. Many people have been getting their catalytic converters stolen. I don't know enough about recycling centers, but why are these places not taking down drivers license's or some other form of documentation so that they can spot someone who brings a lot of these things like he stole them? I know there are ways to get around every type of crime prevention, but I doing this would help put a small dent in the criminal activity.

How sad to think that we cannot park our cars in our own driveway these days without some jerk damaging it. Maybe if the courts would have stronger penalties for doing crap like this things would settle down some.