DAYTON — Investigators and auto mechanics are quick to point out thieves are targeting people’s cars.
The International Association of Auto Theft Investigators has warned people about catalytic converter thefts.
This week, Carl’s Body Shop in Dayton said they’ve received about a half dozen calls from customers saying they need catalytic convertors because stole theirs.
Several minutes is all it takes for someone to saw off your catalytic converter and steal it, Matt Miller at Carl’s Body Shop told News Center 7′s Haley Kosik.
“Some of these guys are pretty slick, you don’t even know they do it in front of your house,” Miller said.
>> ‘It’s gotten real bad;’ Catalytic converter thefts on the rise across the region
Converters aren’t a cheap repair either.
Miller said they can cost anywhere from $800 to more than $2000, not including labor, taxes and fees.
Auto mechanics said it’s what’s inside that makes the converters so expensive.
Miller said the materials are Rhodium, Platnum and Palladium, which primarily come from Russia.
For this specific problem, law enforcement said it’s hard to keep your car out of the shop.
“It’s a difficult crime to protect yourself from since it only takes moments to remove a converter,” Springboro Police Chief Jeffrey Kruithoff said.
His department has not had to investigate any stolen converters this year.
>> Deputies: 1 detained after search for catalytic converter thief in Greene County
But the opposite is the case in Springfield, where residents have reported at least 120 converter thefts.
“As far as ‘on the rise’ I would say this has been an average for the past couple of years,” Springfield Lieutenant Lou Turner said.
Law enforcement is encouraging people to be more cognizant— see something, like someone under your neighbor’s car, say something.
Police are recommending people get security cameras for their homes, car alarms with motion detection and to park in well-lit areas.