Editorial
Watch out for catalytic converter theft
ARE YOU PROTECTING YOUR VEHICLES AND CUSTOMERS’ CARS? By
Mike Manges
I
nflation. Labor shortages. Price increases. Supply slowdowns. Rich Lucas, owner of Lucas Tire & Automotive, a singlelocation dealership in Chicago, Ill., has been luckier. He hasn’t A pandemic that just won’t go away. The litany of problems lost a converter at his store. But thieves have struck some of his facing tire dealers is long and seemingly endless. Just when you don’t need another headache, here’s a new customers’ cars. one — catalytic converter theft. “We lock everything up at night. We have a good alarm system. We have a good camera system. But these thieves are so good” Maybe you’ve already experienced this at your store. Maybe at what they do. “They can remove (a converter) in 10 minutes. you haven’t. But it’s a problem that’s affecting more and more of They’ll watch to see if a guy parks his car and then gets on a bus your peers. And your dealership could be next. Catalytic converter theft has become so widespread that close to go to work. They do their homework.” to 20 states are crafting laws to help curb the problem, according “We’ve been talking with more people who have had converters to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, stolen from their residences or their offices,” which says the crime is being driven by the Mike Smith, manager at Reno Vulcanizing rising value of precious metals palladium, Auto Care, a three-location dealership in platinum and rhodium. Reno, Nev., told me not long before this As you know, these substances are key issue of MTD went to press. components of catalytic converters. And “I have even had a few people make all three are trading at sky-high prices. attempts on some of our vehicles, including (More on that later.) a delivery truck. One of my employees … Many of your fellow dealers are taking his converter was stolen while he was at action to address the problem. In one case, work, right behind our building, during members of the Ohio Tire & Automotive business hours.” Association (OTAA) recently voted to Smith said the dealership is doing what endorse Ohio House Bill 408, which would it can to protect vehicles, but is limited require people selling catalytic converters Nearly 20 states are evaluating legislation to by space. to provide extra proof of ownership. “We attempt to get everything into the curb catalytic converter theft. In testimony before the Ohio House shop overnight, but we’re so busy that we Criminal Justice Committee, OTAA board member John Marshall, can’t accommodate all the vehicles that are here. We forewarn vice president of Dayton, Ohio-based Grismer Tire Co., called our customers to not drive cars here until the day of service.” this provision “a common sense approach. Brandon Johnson, general manager at Eagle Tire Pros, a “Simply by requiring this proof of ownership, which reputable single-store dealership in Jacksboro, Tenn., told me thieves have businesses are happy to provide, we can dramatically curtail the not targeted his outlet. “We take security very seriously and we’re blessed with local law enforcement that patrols frequently.” ability of criminals to access quick cash,” he said. But catalytic converter theft was “a real problem” in his area The problem isn’t isolated to one state or region. not that long ago. “We were going through some months where Bob Kelly, who oversees Sullivan Tire Co. Inc.’s 75-plus retail stores in New England, recently told me that the Norwell, Mass.we were replacing two a week” on customers’ vehicles. based dealership has “experienced catalytic converter theft in our Catalytic converter theft is not a flashy news story. But with own distribution centers.” platinum selling at $988 per ounce and palladium going for At one location, thieves stole converters from six delivery roughly $2,000 an ounce as of this writing, it’s a problem that isn’t trucks. “It cost $2,000 per vehicle to have them replaced. The going away anytime soon. (Did I mention rhodium is currently bigger the truck, the easier it is because they can crawl underneath valued at $16,000 per ounce? That’s more than I paid for my car it. All they do is cut the front and back of the cat and they can several years ago.) be gone in minutes.” It goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway: Make sure you’re Kelly said Sullivan Tire has since “upped” its security. “Our doing everything you can to protect your vehicles and your buildings have cameras. We put all vehicles up front under a customers’ vehicles. This will help prevent another problem you lighted area and bring them into bays, whenever possible. We don’t need right now. ■ try to get our customers to pick up their cars when we’re open so they’re not left out at night, waiting to be picked up.” If you have any questions or comments, please email me at mmanges@10missions.com.
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MTD June 2022
5/30/22 9:49 AM
