Can the thefts be stopped?

THE PROBLEM FOR POLICE is that the crime is tough to spot and tougher to prove, as the junkyard/scrap metal industry isn’t exactly the most carefully regulated business. Legislators in several states, including Texas and Colorado, are working to toughen laws around reselling catalytic converters to require more documentation or limit the number that can be sold by one person. In the meantime, you can take the following steps:

Park your car in a closed garage or well-lit area.

Use a motion-triggered, anti-theft camera, light or alarm. Adjust the sensors to make the alarm more sensitive, if possible.

Etch your car’s VIN number onto the catalytic converter. This can be a deterrent to resale.

Have a body shop install a wire cage such as a Catclamp ($180 and up, catclamp.com) or steel plate that makes the converter much more difficult to steal. Cost for the job runs $300 to $400.

Check with your insurance company to find out if you’re covered for catalytic converter theft—unless they’re comprehensive many policies won’t cover replacement, which can run $3,500 or more.