People steal catalytic converters primarily because they contain valuable precious metals such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium, which have high resale value on the black market. The theft is attractive because catalytic converters are relatively easy to access and remove quickly from vehicles, often in less than two minutes, using simple tools. Additionally, catalytic converters often lack identifiable markings, making stolen units difficult to trace and easy to sell for immediate profit. Key points include:
- Catalytic converters hold precious metals worth hundreds to thousands of dollars.
- The theft is quick and low-risk due to the converter's accessible position under the vehicle.
- High demand for these metals, especially with price surges, incentivizes thieves.
- Common targets are vehicles like SUVs and trucks that sit higher off the ground.
- Thieves sell stolen converters to scrap and recycling facilities for cash.
Thus, the combination of valuable contents and ease of theft drives the prevalence of catalytic converter thefts.
