Big spike in catalytic converter thefts hits East Bay

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (KGO) -- Police in the East Bay are warning car owners to beware of thieves in search of a precious car part. There's been a big spike in catalytic converter thefts and crooks targeted one specific make of car.

Police have no suspects in these crimes and many car owners never dreamed they would have to worry about their catalytic converters disappearing.

"It was awful. It was just rude," Linda Murphy said.

Murphy got a big surprise Monday morning, when the family piled into their SUV.

"We're heading out, started the car and it sounded like a jet engine exploding," Murphy said.

The catalytic converter was ripped off from Murphy's Toyota Sequoia, parked outside on the curb. It was towed to the mechanic for a costly repair.

"It's mean, it's not nice and it's a $4,200 expense that now we have to incur," Murphy said.

The Murphys aren't alone; Walnut Creek police say 13 catalytic converters were stolen from Toyota Sequoia's and Tundra trucks between Sunday night and Monday morning.

"The attraction is the precious metals that are inside," Walnut Creek Police Sgt. Scott Moorehouse said.

And because most Toyota Sequoias have a dual catalytic system with two converters, crooks can get $50 to $200 for them. Right now police have no leads in the crime.

"We've reached out many of the recycling centers here in Contra Costa County. We've actually learned that many of them will not accept recycled catalytic converters because of their high rate at which they're being stolen," Moorehouse said.

There are some devices online which claim to deter thieves from stealing your converter.

Murphy said, "We've learned our lesson. We'll always put our car in the garage now."

Luckily, insurance will cover the cost of a new catalytic converter, but not the aggravation.