Catalytic converters stolen from cars at college campuses
Aaron Castrejon
Issue date: 10/17/07 Section: News
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Citrus security personnel received a phone call from the Temple Station of the L.A. County Sheriff's Department on Oct. 11 regarding the arrest of several individuals connected to the robberies of catalytic converters from vehicles reportedly parked on college property.
"Roughly four or five converters may have been stolen in these incidents," said Tony Gionnone, campus security supervisor.
The only documented case of a catalytic converter being stolen on campus occurred on Sept. 11 of this year.
In an incident report obtained from the Citrus College Security Office, a student parked a 1993 Toyota 4Runner in the West Lot at 9 a.m. The student returned to the vehicle at 12:30 p.m. When the vehicle started, the engine made an unusually loud noise. The student exited the vehicle and looked underneath only to find two bolts on the ground and the muffler missing.
The student drove the vehicle home, at which point the student's mother called campus security to file a report.
The exact number of stolen catalytic converters will not be known until vehicle owners come forward Giannone said.
So far, no other victims at Citrus have come forward.
A mass e-mail was sent to faculty and administrators regarding the crimes because "we're not sure how many vehicles involved were owned by students or staff," Giannone said.
Thieves desiring the same vehicle parts also hit Mt. SAC.
According to Mt. SAC's security department, the thefts occurred at the beginning of October. Deputies from the Temple Station of the L.A. County Sheriff's Department arrested four individuals on the Mt. SAC campus in connection with the thefts. The perpetrators allegedly confessed to stealing converters from several vehicles at Citrus College.
A catalytic converter helps transform much of the exhaust spewed by gasoline or diesel-powered engines into cleaner air. But what makes the converters of interest to thieves is what's inside.
"Whoever stole the catalytic converters wanted the platinum and rhodium they contain," said Dennis Korn, Citrus College automotive professor. "These are both precious metals and are worth a lot of money. The platinum and rhodium are the reactive metals that help convert the exhaust into cleaner air."
According to kitco.com, rhodium, the most expensive precious metal, is at an all-time high at $6,210 per ounce as of October 16. Platinum is worth $1,410 per ounce.
"It's pretty easy to steal a catalytic converter.In all, it would take probably 20 seconds.", Korn explained.
Anyone who believes to be a victim of the thefts is urged to contact the Citrus College Security Department at (626) 914-8611.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
jfurt
posted 4/29/08 @ 11:36 AM PST
A reputable welding and fabrication company in Toledo, OH has a new patented theft deterrent designed just for catalytic converters. It makes too much work for thieves in a hurry. (Continued…)
Joe
posted 6/07/08 @ 6:35 PM PST
Check out the CATCUFF. It's a quality, American made product that locks up a catalytic converter to the frame of the vehicle so that it simply cannot be removed. (Continued…)
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