As thefts of catalytic converters rise nationally, Elmhurst has seen its share of the destructive — and expensive — incidents.
The converters use precious metals, including platinum, palladium and rhodium, to reduce harmful emissions in the exhaust of internal combustion engines. With those precious metals worth as much or more per ounce than gold, the devices are an attractive target for thieves who can easily and quickly remove the converters from under vehicles using battery operated saws or pipe cutters and sell the devices.
Elmhurst Police Department reports list more than 20 catalytic converters taken from local vehicles just in the last three weeks.
“There’s definitely been a nationwide increase,” said Administrative Sergeant Matt Himpelmann of the Elmhurst Police Department. “I think we’ve seen even more of an uptick (in Elmhurst) recently, probably in the last month or two.”
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Himpelmann said in many of those cases, thieves have hit what he called “high risk” vehicles such as Toyota Priuses and larger commercial trucks with gas engines.
The thefts are discovered as soon as the vehicle is started, since the removal of the converter also disconnects the exhaust system from the muffler.
“It sounds like a race car, extremely loud,” said Shazad Mehta, of Mehta Motors on Spring Road in Elmhurst. In a phone conversation with Pioneer Press, Mehta said vehicles missing their converters can be driven, at least as far as a repair facility, but he doesn’t recommend it. Beyond the noise, the open exhaust pipe is discharging exhaust gases right below the passenger compartment and the cut-apart exhaust system can leave loose components dragging below the vehicle.
Himpelmann suggested some things vehicle owners can do to prevent the thefts.
“Clean out the garage,” he said, “and get the car in there.”
If that’s not an option, Himpelmann suggested parking in a well-lit area, adding motion-activated lighting in parking areas and even considering video surveillance cameras.
He stressed that residents should not attempt to confront a potential thief, but should try for a good description of any suspects and their vehicles.
“Don’t confront the suspect,” he said. “Call 911.”
While the thefts are usually covered by comprehensive insurance coverage, the loss can still be expensive, according to Bill Bortolotti, co-owner of Glen Ellyn-based BR-Cevaal Insurance Advisors.
“If a person has comprehensive coverage, it would be covered,” Bortolotti said in a phone conversation with Pioneer Press. “But … there’s always a deductible.”
Bortolotti noted that people are choosing higher deductibles as a way to trim insurance costs. A deductible of $500 might be approaching the cost of some converters, although the devices can run a lot more than that.
Bortolotti said someone he knows recently replaced a stolen converter at a cost of $2,000.
In addition to the deductible, vehicle owners may also face additional costs for towing and rental of a replacement vehicle. And with all that, supply chain issues have affected the availability of replacement converters.
All those costs may make some of Himpelmann’s suggestions cost-effective, especially for those with those high risk vehicles.
There are some aftermarket products and devices that can be installed to protect catalytic converters. Those products, which can be found on the internet by searching catalytic converter protection, include metal plates and even an intricate steel cable cage that is meant to protect the converter from being cut away.
But Mehta noted those steps cost money. In addition to the cost of the protective device, most vehicle owners will need to pay a mechanic for installation, a cost Mehta says can run around $200.