patrick.net

#catalytic converter thefts I am always looking for interesting stories that major media outlets overlook. I have found a great one. The great majority of gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles in operation in the world use catalytic converters to filter out pollutants that damage the atmosphere. These converters contain the following precious metals:
Rhodium: $13,100 US per ounce
Palladium: $ 2,070 US per ounce
Platinum: $ 928 US per ounce
In the US and, I suspect, in other countries, there have been a large number of thefts of catalytic converters from cars. Recently here in Pacifica, 10 catalytic converters were stolen. If you are one of the victims of such a theft, it will cost you an average of $2,500 US to buy a new catalytic converter for your car. Your car will be out of service for 4-6 weeks while you wait for this replacement part. Insurance companies have been slow to cover these thefts. They demand the installation of a special anti-theft device on the catalytic converter before coverage is initiated.
Police in Portland, Oregon did a great investigation and arrested one of the biggest players in the catalytic converter theft game. Brennan Doyle age 32 was arrested at his Lake Oswego mansion. He is identified as being involved with the theft of over 44,000 catalytic converters. His assets included the mansion, seven other real estate holdings, luxury cars, etc. For those of you curious here is the link to the article:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/cops-oregon-crime-ring-moved-22m-in-catalytic-converters/2022/08/11/2eba4224-19e9-11ed-b998-b2ab68f58468_story.html

My advice to all of you is to lock your cars in a garage if this is possible. Get the antitheft devices installed and work with your insurance carrier. You might want to add rental car insurance in case your catalytic converter is stolen.