Petaluma hit by spree of catalytic converter thefts

A spree of catalytic converter thefts out of diesel trucks and SUVs have left the Petaluma Police Department with no leads since the last incident a week ago.|

A spree of catalytic converter thefts out of diesel trucks and SUVs have left the Petaluma Police Department with no leads since the last incident a week ago.

“The count so far of catalytic converter thefts is at 20,” said Lt. Marlin Christensen. “The biggest problem is these reports are made late, usually a day or two after the actual theft. We’ve had extra personnel assigned to this case, but judging from what happened in Windsor in a similar run of thefts a couple months ago, we believe this is an outside group that travels to a city, carries out its thefts and moves on. We don’t have any leads at this time.”

The catalytic converter is a piece of equipment found on both diesel and gasoline cars and is located next to the muffler. The converter uses precious metals like platinum, palladium and rhodium to process toxic exhaust, such as carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons, and turn it into carbon dioxide and water. In certain models of trucks and sports utility vehicles the increased suspension height makes access to the converter easier for thieves. Some vehicles have two catalytic converters.

The precious metals in the converter and lack of identifying markings make the part an attractive choice for thieves. Older converters from the 1970s to the 1990s tend to contain more materials than their millennial counterparts. Because the housing around the converter is relatively unsecured, thieves can unbolt or cut out the converter within a matter of minutes.

According to Christensen, the first thefts were reported near the intersection of Washington Street and Highway 101 and on Rainier Avenue. Other thefts happened around Maria Drive, Eastside Circle and Kearny Court.

“The best way to prevent converter theft is to park your car in a garage or a secured building,” Christensen said. “These thefts are happening on cars parked on streets and driveways where there is little light.”

Christensen added that police advise painting their license plate number on their converters, marking the origin of the part.

Devin, who only gave his first name, said he’s seen a surge of catalytic converter orders working as a mechanic for Dave’s Muffler and Brake in Petaluma.

“We’ve had to handle Sequoias, some diesel Ford trucks and some larger Toyotas,” he said. “All of them, I think 12 in our shop, were missing converters.”

He said commercial locks for catalytic converters are ineffective, as thieves will cut wherever the lock doesn’t cover and remove the lock later.

“Besides, those locks can cost almost as much as a replacement converter, so you’re effectively paying double,” he said. “They just cut on down the line, going through wiring and cables, so the risk is even greater if you get a lock.”

Replacing a catalytic converter can cost as much as $4,000 per unit. Converters sell based on size and condition, but good condition parts can go as high as $150 per unit.

“You’ll know when your converter is stolen,” Devin said. “Without it, the muffler has no contact with the exhaust, so starting up your car is going to sound like three Harley motorcycles going off at the same time. It’s even louder if you had two converters stolen.”

Police said a car missing its catalytic converter will not require a tow to a mechanic shop.

(Contact Willima Rohrs at william.rohrs@arguscouri er.com.)

UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy:
  • This is a family newspaper, please use a kind and respectful tone.
  • No profanity, hate speech or personal attacks. No off-topic remarks.
  • No disinformation about current events.
  • We will remove any comments — or commenters — that do not follow this commenting policy.