Thieves looking to make a quick buck are causing a lot of pain in the pocketbook for the victims of one of the hottest crime trends in Texas — catalytic converter theft.
Despite a bill passed last summer in the Texas legislature to deter it, catalytic converter theft continues to be a problem in the state. As The Dallas Express reported in July, AAA said that claims for stolen catalytic converters have increased more than 5,000% since 2019.
John Hall, the manager of A-Affordable Storage, stated there have been more than 75 catalytic converter thefts at the company’s 17 RV storage facilities across the metroplex, NBCDFW reported. Police in White Settlement said that at least 10 catalytic converters are stolen every week in that community.
Catalytic converters are auto emissions devices that can reduce up to 90% of a vehicle’s harmful tailpipe emissions. They are required on all new vehicles sold in the United States.
Thieves target this particular auto part because it contains precious metals — such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium. These precious metals bring a hefty price at resale, and catalytic converters are easy to access and steal. It takes less than a minute to roll underneath a vehicle and cut out the part with a battery-operated saw.
Thieves then sell the stolen auto parts to junkyards, metal recyclers, or on the black market.
House Bill 4110, signed into law by Gov. Abbott last June, made it a felony to steal a catalytic converter or buy or sell a stolen one. First-time offenders can receive six months to two years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Repeat offenders can be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.
To legally sell a used catalytic converter in Texas, the seller must provide proof of ownership and fingerprints. However, thieves in Texas are circumventing this requirement by selling their stolen emissions devices in other states with less restrictive laws.
Vehicle owners who are victims of catalytic converter theft are stuck paying for the replacement part, which can cost, on average, between $1,000 and $3,000.
Someone stole our CC in June and he was a moron, not an experienced thief, according to the service manager at my dealership. He tore up the entire exhaust assembly getting it out. A pro would have just neatly cut it out.
EVs do not have converters so not all cars are required to have them. FYI
Lord God up above, forgive our Nation for removing your Commandments from the halls, schools, and other public places. By removing them, we’ve ushered in the world, flesh, and the devil. Your Holy word says 2 Chronicles 7:14 King James Version (KJV)if my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Pray that our Nation gets on our knees before the living God in dust/ashes and repent…and get back to putting Your Word in our homes, classrooms, jobs, and public places and living your Word out in our lives.
Psalms 9:17
“The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.”
It’s all well and good that the legislature passed this law, but is it being enforced? Are catalytic converter thieves being apprehended and given max sentences? Or are they let off by liberal DAs and judges with something like probation?
NOT LEGAL ADVICE (but a researched observation). I had not heard of this new law and guessing thieves haven’t either. It needs to be advertised. Also, under Texas law, theft of catalytic converts may justify you in using deadly force.
Texas law allows you to use deadly force to protect property if you would be justified in using force, and you reasonably believe it is immediately necessary to prevent the imminent commission of specifically enumerated property crimes. These are arson, burglary, robbery, aggravated robbery, theft during the nighttime, or criminal mischief during the nighttime.
I’ve had mine stolen TWICE – once in Tomball TX and once in downtown Dallas; both in the middle of the day. As a retired person on a fixed income, it is a financial burden that’s hard to bear!!!