BLOOMINGTON, MINN. – The Insurance Federation of Minnesota is sounding the alarm over an exponential increase in thefts of catalytic converters. Spokesman Mark Kulda says Minnesota, the Twin Cities, in particular, are at the epicenter.
“These thieves are taking advantage of the high price of these materials. They’re taking advantage of the idea that they can sell these easily because we don’t have enough tools to prevent it. And because of that, we’re seeing this surge of these thefts,” Kulda says.
He says the number-one target is the Toyota Prius, which has a larger catalytic converter than other vehicles. Kulda says the Prius, Mitsubishi Outlander, and Mitsubishi Endeavor make up about half of all catalytic converter thefts.
Security measures are available, such as motion detectors with cameras and lights or even devices you can install over the catalytic converters that may discourage thieves.
Kulda says the best defense is to keep vehicles, including fleet vehicles, in a locked area.
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