“Across the country, millions of Americans are faced with costly repairs to their vehicles thanks to skyrocketing rates of catalytic converter thefts,” Baird said in a statement. “Last Congress, I was proud to introduce the PART Act because I recognized the impactful financial consequences these all-too-common thefts have had on Americans and business owners, and I want to empower our law enforcement to hold these thieves accountable.”
In the U.S., catalytic converters are being stolen at increasingly higher rates because they contain costly precious metals such as platinum, palladium and rhodium and are not easily traceable.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau said there were 14,433 catalytic converter thefts reported in the U.S. in 2020 compared with 3,389 cases in 2019. In 2018, there were just 1,298 thefts reported.
“We have seen a dramatic 1,215 percent increase in catalytic converter thefts nationwide since the pandemic began. It is an issue that is plaguing the United States, and law enforcement needs additional support to put a stop to it,” David Glawe, CEO of the bureau, said in a statement.
“There is very little deterrent for thieves who commit these property crimes and, therefore, it is paramount for Congress to take action and make stealing a catalytic converter a felony.”
Stolen converters can go for up to $350 each on the black market, according to the National Automobile Dealers Association, but replacement costs to vehicle owners can average more than $2,500.
NADA and 12 other trade groups urged Congress in May to advance a bipartisan bill that addresses the rise in the thefts.
“Consumers across the nation are falling victim to rising catalytic converter theft, leaving them with costly repairs that are often worsened by supply chain woes,” NADA CEO Mike Stanton said in a statement. “America’s franchised auto dealers urge Congress to pass this important legislation.”
