48 Catalytic Converters Stolen In Naperville In 3 Months: Police

NAPERVILLE, IL — Naperville police are urging residents to follow tips to protect their catalytic converters, after a rash of catalytic converter thefts was reported in the city in just three months. Between July 1 and Oct. 1, police responded to 48 catalytic converter thefts in Naperville, Commander Michaus Williams told Patch.

These tips include:

• Park vehicles in well-lit areas or garages
• Lock vehicles and set alarms, considering a special alarm to deter catalytic converter theft
• Spray catalytic converters with brightly colored, high-temp automotive exhaust spray
• Listen for power tools, especially overnight, as thieves often use sawzalls to remove catalytic converters
• Report suspicious vehicles or activity immediately by calling 911

In a recent safety video, Naperville police Sergeant Tim Erdman said 100 car parts —most of which were catalytic converters— were reported stolen in the first six months of 2022.

Erdman said, "Nationally, catalytic converter thefts have skyrocketed in the past few years due to the lucrative money to be made for the precious metals that are held inside." These parts of the exhaust system often have platinum, rhodium or other valuable metals inside.

Using a sawzall, often during the middle of the night, thieves can remove a catalytic converter from a car in around 30 seconds, according to Naperville police. Click the link to watch the police department's video on how to deter catalytic converter thefts.

On Wednesday, 21 people in five states were federally charged in connection with the dismantling of a multi-state catalytic converter theft ring that yielded millions of dollars.