Thieves Target Toyota Prius Catalytic Converters In Woodinville

WOODINVILLE, WA—Three separate Toyota Prius owners recently had the catalytic converters cut away and stolen from their vehicles, according to the Woodinville Police Department.

Police said all three thefts occurred during the middle of the day and in busy shopping center parking lots. It took two minutes or less for the suspect to jack up the vehicle and cut the converter out.

All three most likely occurred on the same day, police said. These converters bring in several hundred dollars at area scrap metal yards.

Please call the Woodinville Police departments non emergency number to report suspicious activity at 206-296-3311. Call 911 to report crimes in progress and all emergencies.

What is a catalytic converter?
A catalytic converter is a device used on modern cars to help reduce the noxious fumes that come out of the tailpipe. It also helps keep the air cleaner around us as well.

What does palladium have to do with a catalytic converter?
Since the catalytic converter makes up several precious metals, palladium happens to be one of them. Without these metals inside the converter, the required reactions would not occur to change the harmful exhaust gasses. Without palladium, we could not turn carbon dioxide into water vapor. Pretty remarkable if you ask me.

Why do thieves want my Toyota Prius catalytic converter?
Palladium is quickly becoming the top precious metal for several reasons. The prime reason being that supply is not keeping up with demand. Meaning that everything made with palladium is going to go up in price, and probably in a very drastic way. Palladium is now at $2,261 oz.

Platinum, rhodium and palladium are some of the elements known as platinum-group metals, otherwise known as PGMs.

Depending on the age and type of vehicle, the PGMs in a catalytic converter can be worth anywhere from $200 to a rare $1,000 or more. The newer and/or smaller cars being closer to $200. The larger, older vehicles could have catalytic converters worth $600 and up.

The repair/replacement can cost up to $2000 or more.