CAT Burglars

Shelton helps thwart catalytic converter thefts

Despite recent strides in protecting car owners, catalytic converter thefts are still a problem. The Shelton Police Department has implemented a new tracking method to help residents feel safe in the event that their car is vandalized.

Why are people stealing these car parts instead of just the cars? And what do they do? For starters, catalytic converters are an important part of the emissions control in your vehicle. They take pollutants and convert them into natural gases and other common – and safe – chemicals.

In order to do this, they use “metallic catalysts” such as rhodium, palladium, and platinum to perform these chemical reactions. And this explains why they are being stolen. According to an article in USA Today, rhodium can fetch as much as $20,000 per ounce, with the other two reaching around $3,000 and $1,000 per ounce respectively.

Thefts of catalytic converters in- creased by 325% over the pandemic, according to that USA Today article, and Connecticut was no exception.

Rather than stealing a whole car, catalytic converters are easy to transport and aren’t easily trackable – but Shelton’s system will help in identifying these parts on the black market.

The CATGUARD/CATEtch system is a sticker that you apply to your catalytic converter that registers your cars part to a law enforcement database. Scrap dealers are able to access this system as well to ensure that if a part is being sold, it’s being sold intentionally.

One of the drawbacks of a sticker though is that you would be able to remove it. This system has a unique technology that renders that criticism moot.

According to their website:

“Two ultra-destruct labels, laser cut with a unique code and the URL of a secure, accredited data- base - the International Security Register (ISR) – are applied to a catalytic converter and will break into pieces If an attempt is made to remove them. In addition, a fluid that etches into metal is applied to the labels so that even if they are removed, the code and URL will remain clearly readable.”

Shelton purchased these kits for residents, 150 of them, and decided to start with seniors in town. They hope that in addition to helping catch thieves after the fact, the stickers will be a sign to prevent the theft in the first place.

While folks can still drive their cars without the catalytic converter, it can be noisy and would likely cause the car to fail an emissions test. Not only that, but they are expensive to replace. Today, this aftermarket system is a great start, and the Shelton Police Department is helping out their seniors by getting them in first. Perhaps one day, car manufacturers will install a system like this on the production line.