WEEKLY CRIME WATCH: Beaumont police discuss growing Catalytic converter theft problem

Beaumont police are warning local residents to be aware of catalytic converter theft, which the police department of itself recently fell victim to.

“Catalytic converter thefts are definitely something that is plaguing not only our area but nationwide,” said Beaumont Police Department Spokesperson Ofc. Haley Morrow.

For this type of crime, Morrow said people are not just going into neighborhoods to steal the automobile exhaust-system component that contains a catalyst to convert harmful gases into mostly harmless products. They’re also targeting vehicles parked at hotels and business lots because there are a large number of vehicles.

“There is a metal in the catalytic converters that (is) worth a substantial amount of money. So, you see that Toyotas are targeted at a higher rate because apparently this metal is more valuable in the Toyota,” Morrow said. “But it is a very fast crime, it takes less than 30 seconds for them to roll under the vehicle and cut the catalytic converter out from underneath the vehicle.”

It is a hard problem for vehicle owners, law enforcement and businesses to combat when the risk appears to be worth the reward.

In July, the American Automobile Association reported that new auto claims data from AAA Texas revealed that claims for stolen catalytic converters have jumped 5,300% since 2019.

When possible, park in well-lit areas and close to building entrances.
If you have a garage at your house, park your car inside and keep the garage door shut.
If you own a high clearance vehicle like a truck or SUV, store it in a secure location.
Have the catalytic converter welded to your car’s frame, which may make it harder to steal.
Look into buying a converter-protection device that has been developed for the Prius and other vehicles targeted by thieves.
Consider engraving your vehicle identification number (VIN) on the catalytic converter – this may help alert a scrap dealer that it was stolen and make it easier to find the owner.
Security devices, such as locks, are available that attach to the converter, making it harder to steal.
Calibrate your car’s alarm to go off when it detects vibration.
Carry a good insurance policy. Most insurance companies cover replacement costs if the vehicle owner has the optional comprehensive coverage, which covers damage to a vehicle not caused by a crash.

AAA Texas information said Harris County led the state with the highest number of catalytic converter thefts this year and has already surpassed 2021’s total catalytic converter theft volume with 115 recorded year-to-date versus 114 for all of last year. AAA data shows Fort Bend, Dallas, Bexar and Tarrant counties round out the top five Texas counties with catalytic converter theft claims processed so far this year, the report said.

With at least 3,200 catalytic converter theft cases as of May 2022, the city of Houston has passed a ban that makes it illegal to possess catalytic converters that have been cut apart to extract the valuable metals from the devices that remove pollutants from car exhaust, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Beaumont city officials on Thursday said that the city does not currently have any similar laws in place, but it is something that it may consider in the future.

In June 2021, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott also signed House Bill 4110 to help combat catalytic converter theft, including by increasing the criminal penalty from a Class A misdemeanor to a felony offense for violations related to the purchase and sale of the parts and material. It went into effect September 2021.

“The legislation increases criminal penalties for knowingly purchasing stolen catalytic converters and adds certain requirements relating to the purchase of catalytic converters by metal recycling entities,” the Texas Department of Public Safety said. “The requirements apply only to catalytic converters purchased off the vehicle as well as any material removed from a catalytic converter.”

Aside from the state ban, Houston’s bill and locking a vehicle in the garage, Beaumont police said there does not appear to be any significant options to help prevent the crime from occurring to local vehicle owners.

Surveillance videos have been a considerable help in fighting the crimes, though.

“Pretty much in every crime that we can possibly talk about, surveillance videos are the number one tool that we can use to help identify these suspects,” Morrow said. “It is also sometimes a deterrent as well. That is super important not just for your home but your business.”

But it is also important to pay attention to your surroundings. While a lot of these crimes are happening in the midnight hours between 11 p.m. to 3 a.m., Morrow said they are happening in the daytime too.

“You want to watch for vehicles that are slowly circling the parking lot or multiple suspects,” Morrow said. “Obviously, if you see someone rolling under the vehicle, that is a clue, because they do have to roll under the vehicle to successfully remove the catalytic converter. So, just keeping an eye out for that and … if you see anyone that looks suspicious call in the Beaumont Police Department, and our officers will check it out.”

Morrow also recommends educating yourself on what a catalytic converter looks like, which can help not only a vehicle owner but also law enforcement fight this crime in the community.

“I didn’t know what this looked like until it became an issue,” Morrow said. “We had a call in Beaumont last year out of the saltwater barrier where a concerned citizen saw a truck bed full of catalytic converters. That is a huge red flag. Our officers were able to get out there, identify the suspects and work the investigation from there.”

Morrow emphasized paying attention to your surroundings, being aware that this is a crime and one that happens pretty often and that it can also be a costly crime for those who become a target, she said.

“It is very expensive, and you would absolutely 100% know if your catalytic converter was stolen when you started up your vehicle,” Morrow said. “It is extremely loud without the catalytic converter on it. So, that is how most people figure out that theirs was stolen is their vehicle either will not start or if it does start, it is super loud.”

On May 26, a Beaumont Police Department Southeast Texas Auto Theft Task Force investigator was contacted by the department regarding the theft of two catalytic converters at the Special Services Division of the station.

Video surveillance showed the subjects removing the catalytic converters from a 2000 Honda Accord and a 2005 Honda Accord, according to court documents. It cost around $2,000 per vehicle to replace the converters in this case.

Police learned through the investigation that the individuals had gained access by cutting a fence to the lot, which they were on for less than 20 minutes. Officials received a tip that the man was allegedly selling the parts for $945, the article said.

In some cases, the cost of repairs or the amount the parts are sold for can be even higher.

meagan.ellsworth@beaumontenterprise.com

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