What is Hot to Thieves? Your Catalytic Converter from a Toyota!

If you are an owner of a Toyota pickup or 4Runner truck, for sure, park in a protected area-your garage.  In Santa Rosa, CA., as well as many other cities, thieves are ripping off the catalytic converter and then selling the metal for up to $200 at salvage yards who collect metal that is sent to China. China buys American steal from junked cars, trucks etc. One can make it a decent part-time job, earning several hundreds of dollars a week.

Toyota trucks and the 4 Runner SUV are easy targets because the converter is held on by only four bolts. Thieves can easily slip under during the night, even if the truck is parked in your driveway, remove the bolts and yank the converter out within minutes. Owners have returned to their trucks after work, after shopping, and found out by a disturbing sound. Several owners have been hit several times. The converters are valuable because they contain gold and platinum. If you own a Toyota Tacoma, you are also a target. One guy, even with the alarm system on, lost his.  In two nights, police in Petaluma reported 20 reports of converter theft. In Sacramento, police beat that with 29 converter thefts in one night.

The worse part is the owner expense to replace it: $2,400. This is not optional either, one must do it to drive.