Posted on 01/22/2022 4:14:38 PM PST by MAGA2017
BELLEVUE, Wash. — A Bellevue family’s catalytic converter was stolen from their Prius and it was caught on surveillance video.
The family told KIRO 7 that they are grateful they did not go to the door last week Monday after hearing a loud noise outside.
Just before 5 a.m., two people showed up at the Bellevue home. While one man got underneath the car, the other stood guard with a gun pointed at the home.
Police said they are investigating.
“I hate to say that a thief is smart but they know what vehicles to target,” said Bryan Davis, a manager with Kitsap Mufflers and Brakes in Bremerton. “You know the Toyota Prius is one of the easiest ones to get the CADS out of.”
Davis told KIRO 7 that he has had 17 customers request for replacement catalytic converters this week after theirs were stolen. “We probably went from about two to three a month to about 30 to 40 vehicles a month,” Davis said. “Right now, we’re getting to the point where we have repair shops out of Tacoma — going on the other side of the bridge who are reaching out to us.”
We heard from Tacoma police who confirm that this type of crime has increased.
In 2020, 181 catalytic converters were stolen. In 2021, thefts of catalytic converters increased more than five times, reaching 1077.
(Excerpt) Read more at kiro7.com ...
Why does the ever efficient Prius model need any kind of Catalytic converter ?
It gets 50+ miles to the gallon, out of the box.
Slow news day Seattle?
In believe that Catalytic Converters sell for just under $950 a pop.
I personally know a colleague which happened months ago, get her Cat stolen 1 DAY after buying a new Jeep.
“Why does the ever efficient Prius model need any kind of Catalytic converter?”
EPA
They should be armed. A guy in Philly was shot and killed while plying his catalytic converter harvesting profession. Can’t be too careful, these days.
I can’t recall where I read about it, but some places in Africa have a high theft rate of catalytic converters for use in drug manufacturing and/or for the precious metals (platinum, palladium and rhodium), don’t know the amount of PM contained inside but it’s usually more valuable than of that of an older vehicle.
The article also said thieves go after the Prius because like trucks it has a higher ground clearance and is easier to get to.
In western Washington, criminals are increasingly doing their crimes armed.
They’ve become much more aggressive since don’t catch laws were passed a year ago
Carry permits are sky rocketing here.
If I understand correctly, they have two convertors. At $900 a pop, that’s a good day’s work for a chump.
Not Prius. $4000+ without installation.
And they don’t unbolt them.
They cut them out, so the attaching piping needs fixing or replacing also.
Two words: Claymore mine.
The Flowmaster 2000130 for my rig is $80 but I go with a straight pipe splice which is even cheaper.
This is news? It happens daily in my town. Neighborhood forums post lots of reports, some with video captures of the thieves in the act.
Nothing a remotely operated, sight acquiring sub-machine gun couldn’t handle. Just sayin.
Two words: Claymore mine
Until the old lady goes shopping then boom……so where can I get one?
Someone pointing a gun at a house is posing a deadly threat, i.e. invoking self defense laws for the occupants.
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