PORTLAND (WGME) -- York County Sheriff Bill King says one prevailing nuisance crime is catalytic converter thefts.
A catalytic converter is an exhaust emission control device that converts toxic gases and pollutants in exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine into less toxic pollutants by catalyzing a redox reaction. Most automobile spark-ignition engines in North America have been fitted with catalytic converters since 1975. Anstex Sa 20
King says people steal catalytic converters for their easily accessible location and because of the valuable precious metals including platinum, palladium and rhodium.
Thefts are common among late-model trucks and SUVs, because of their high ground clearance and easily removed bolt-on catalytic converters. Welded-on converters are also at risk of theft, as they can be easily cut off.
The converters contain platinum, recently traded at $944 per ounce, palladium traded at about $2,190 an ounce and rhodium traded at $10,000.
These metals are so expensive because there is high demand and limited supply globally. This is why the theft of the catalytic converter is so high.
King says most thieves will simply bring a stolen Catalytic Converter to a junkyard where they can sell it between $300 - $1,000.
Isn’t there a new law in Maine to prevent this?
Yes, LD 796, passed last year, requires catalytic converters to have the VIN Number etched onto the converter.
There are also restrictions on junkyards that purchase catalytic converters.
What can a citizen do to discourage somebody from stealing their catalytic converter?
Park in a well-lit area.
Install a protective device or an alarm on your vehicle.
If in the city, try to park close to a curb so somebody can’t crawl underneath your vehicle.
If a catalytic converter is stolen, how much does it cost to replace?
York County doubles in size in the summer months. King says with the more people, there are more traffic violations, but there are also more "traffic watchers."
King's office has recently introduced an initiative to cut down on erratic driving. The sheriff hopes this has the same impact as issuing a warning to drivers.
How does this work? When did it start, and why is the sheriff’s office doing it?
The office issued non-accusatory letters to people whose registered vehicles were reported to be violating traffic laws.
Response from people? Did most ignore your letters?
Most do, but the office had some people contact them and asked for the specifics as to why their vehicles were reported to be speeding, driving erratically, etc. Some people have apologized for their driving and some even wrote a letter to the sheriff explaining themselves.
Raw Materials For Iron Making AAA New England is giving the York County Sheriff’s Office an award for this initiative at the 2023 Impaired Driving Summit which is next week.