Catalytic Converter Theft Quadruples In One Year

By NY Post
Posted on 10/24/21 | News Source: NY Post

These criminals better not let the tree-huggers catch them.

Sawzall-wielding thieves hacking away at parked cars sent thefts of a key pollution-cleaning part through the roof in the past year.

Through Oct. 10, 2,170 catalytic converters were reported stolen in the five boroughs, more than four times the 501 ripped off through the same date in 2020, the NYPD said.

“The whole process takes under two minutes,” Detective Thomas Kelly of the Auto Crimes Unit told The Post.

Catalytic converters, part of a car’s exhaust system, break down some of the smog that would otherwise come out the tailpipe.