2001 E350 V10 - catalytic converter stolen~!

[JWA]

This is a strangely-timed resurgence of cat thefts--thought we were long, long past that era?

An enterprising crook can tear the cat apart, salvage the precious metals inside and sell them on eBay---I've seen a lot of auctions for platinum etc etc. Could also be chop shops are buying "gently used" cats?

Apart from upping your comprehensive coverage to zero deductible if a crook wants your cat there's not a lot you can do to dissuade them sorry to say.

[simplesez]

Strange resurgence? Um we are in a pandemic and millions are now unemployed. Before this people struggled to simply pay bills. Not knocking anyone in particular but wake up and smell the coffee.

Thefts are going up in and around cities. Sorry it happens to anyone. I accepted it as a fact of life in the US back in the 90s. That is what insurance is for.

[JWA]

^^^^It's strange in WHAT is being stolen these days, that the risks of getting caught in-process higher since so much of the general population will be on a heightened DefCon.

Are high end car stereos far behind on what's being stolen?

I can't reconcile myself to accept theft is just a part of life these days but I march to the beat of a different drummer, take Teddy Roosevelt's advice of walking and carrying sticks quite to heart.

[boywonder]

..looks like Darwin is taking care of some of the problem...


https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2020/03...is-identified/


https://www.newsweek.com/missouri-ma...verter-1488558


https://www.foxnews.com/auto/catalyt...-thief-crushed

[REF]

Originally Posted by JWA

Couldn't happen to nicer and more deserving folks I'm thinking?! You'd think simply convenience store robberies would be safer and not involve too many tools?

Right, but as mentioned, those blasted cameras are everywhere....except under the car!

[JWA]

Originally Posted by REF

Right, but as mentioned, those blasted cameras are everywhere....except under the car!

Good point---but the Darwin Award stories of thefts in action being thwarted by falling vehicles is good but never a reliable deterrent.

[rionapo]

There were a series of posts in this thread that were off-topic and inappropriate for the forum. They are gone now. Some of them may have contained relevant information; if so, please feel free to repost that information. Please respect each other and help keep this forum focused on the issues and pleasures of our vans.

[thejm]

Just went out to start my van and discovered that mine was stolen too. Really feeling violated right now...

[REDOVAL]

Also fun to note that now, 2 years after mine was stolen, its time for a smog check. After installing a California legal converter and wandering down to the smog shop I was informed that nothing could be done until a BAR referee inspected my vehicle. There is no way to know this is the case before going in for a routine procedure. It's my belief that these vehicles are being flagged and running with "assumed" stolen emissions equipment. Appointments are in the 2 months out window so that's just another problem.

Just extremely annoyed with this pos state and it's constant emissions issues.

Scott

[thejm]

Wow that sure puts salt in the wound. If I go the insurance claim route to get an OEM cat, would I still run into that issue?