Police report dozens of catalyst thefts as metal prices rise: Toyota and Lexus drivers suffer the most

The United States is no longer dealing with catalyst thefts – thefts were recorded several times more last year than a year ago, and some states are even drafting laws to restrict the purchase of used catalysts, reports marketplace.org. The country’s police are already warning residents about thieves, for whom a catalyst can guarantee a salary of between $ 700 and $ 800.

“In the past, rhodium cost between $ 700 and $ 800 an ounce. Now, $ 29,000. Its price is rising like bitcoin, “said NBC jeweler Robert Spasiano.

This problem is still relevant in Lithuania.

“Information available to police, 2021. January March approximately 40 thefts of catalysts have been reported. That is about 2 percent. of all 2021 thefts recorded. 2021 Catalyst thefts were significantly lower than in 2020. according to the Police Department’s response to the Delfi portal.

Catalytic converters from the Toyota and Lexus brands are said to be the most stolen. The most common car models affected by theft are the Toyota Prius and the Lexus RX400.

Precious metals have the highest value in catalysts: platinum, palladium, and rhodium. And its price has been growing very fast lately.

For example, rhodium, a precious metal, currently costs about 800,000 euros per kilogram. This price is four times higher than a year ago, when the price of rhodium fluctuated around 200 thousand. per kilogram, according to the economic data of Trading.

The price of palladium is also close to all-time highs, around 70.9 thousand euros per kilogram, about a third more than a year ago.

Platinum would uncouple about 32.7 thousand. per kilogram, this metal has risen in price about 64 percent a year.

Although only a few grams of precious metals per catalyst, high prices encourage risk taking. Consequently, new catalysts can be very expensive for existing car owners.

The police advise on how to store the car.

The catalytic converter is part of the car’s exhaust system, which is usually mounted on the underside of the car.

“To steal a catalyst, thieves have to run under the vehicle. Depending on the make and model of the car, the equipment used by the thieves and other circumstances, the theft of the catalyst can last from a few seconds to a few or several minutes ”, explains the Police.

It is stated that there are no special requirements for the purchase of waste by catalysts. Catalysts are purchased in the same order as other non-ferrous or non-ferrous metals.

“Community officials are taking steps to educate residents on ways to protect the car from theft and how to protect the items in the car. The information is usually made public by the soc. community networks and officials Facebook accounts. Preventive information is also disseminated during meetings with communities, members of safe neighborhood groups, as well as during neighborhood meetings, etc. Soc. Networks and meetings provide information: a preventive video with suggestions. Community officials also use brochures, ”explains the Police Department.

Police advise parking in guarded parking lots.

“If you leave your car in the yard, park in a well-lit patio area, closer to your apartment windows.

Make sure that the masters of a reliable company install a modern alarm system in your car.

Insure your car. Talk to your neighbors about safety. Ask them to call you or the police immediately after they see someone suspiciously walking around your car, ”says the counseling department.

More tips can also be found on the police page.

Metal buyers say they record personal data

Jonas Grinskis, director of the Novitera metal extraction and recycling company, says he will not realize that catalyst sales have increased.

“If a natural person can add us, all their personal data is removed from personal documents. There is absolutely no possibility to take some kind of catalyst anonymously, much less obtain it unfairly,” says J. Grinskis.

It ensures that high metal prices represent an additional risk for supermarkets: after high growth, sharp falls are possible that can lead to significant losses.

“Metals never go up forever. Throughout the history of our company, we have had cases where metal prices have fallen 10 times. Rising metal prices is not a great joy for a company like ours, as we have to think about what will happen when metal prices start to fall. It takes a large reserve to think about how to earn a living when they fall. A good life can end very quickly, ”says J. Grinskis.

Andrei Jodko, Director of Trade and Production for EMP Recycling, told Delfi earlier that he had noticed that metal sellers had become more active in the market. Unfortunately, he is not always honest.

“Of course, people follow these nuances, they also follow our price lists, then they look for raw materials, they transport them for sale. There are bad trends, let’s say, mainly in the automotive industry, “says A. Jodko.

He explains that with the sharp rise in the price of rhodium, car catalyst theft has risen sharply in Britain, and the trend is also being felt in Lithuania.