‘Steady rate’ of catalytic converters stolen from cars
By Aideen O'Flaherty
THERE has been “a steady rate” of catalytic converters being stolen from cars around the county in recent months, according to a local garda sergeant.
A catalytic convertor was stolen from a car at Kilnamanagh Shopping Centre on January 13, while figures for 2020 reveal that approximately 1,400 catalytic converter thefts have been recorded across the country, and more than half of those occurred in Dublin.
A catalytic converter was stolen from a car at Kilnamanagh Shopping Centre last month
The catalytic converter is the exhaust emission control device which is attached to the exhaust on the underbody of a vehicle.
Crime prevention officer, Sergeant Ciaran McLoughlin, who is based in Rathfarnham Garda Station, said that thieves are primarily targeting hybrid cars, both in shopping centre car parks and residential areas.
Toyota Prius cars, especially 2004 to 2007 models, are being targeted in particular as their catalytic converters contain precious metals.
Sgt McLoughlin told The Echo: “There has been a steady rate of catalytic converter thefts over the last while, it’s because the metal in them is more valuable than gold.
“The people who take them are in and out in less than two minutes.”
Typically, groups of three or four people will quickly lift the car using a large car jack, they will then use electric tools to remove the catalytic converter and leave in a waiting car – all in a matter of seconds.
“Detecting them is quite hard, because there is no serial number on catalytic converters,” added Sgt McLoughlin.
Sgt McLoughlin advised motorists who drive older hybrid model cars to speak to their mechanic and see if there’s a mechanism that can be put on, like a steel cage, which would make it more difficult for would-be thieves to steal the catalytic converter.
Gardai have previously made public appeals about the issue, including on RTÉ’s Crimecall.
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