A news report on 9NEWS discussed the recent rash of catalytic converter thefts in the Denver, CO, area. Vehicle owners who are hit by these thieves often face large repair bills to repair their exhaust system.

Below is the article as it appeared in the 9news.com website.

Catalytic Converter Thefts Up in Metro Area

By Lori Obert and Corey Rose

DENVER – It is something almost all vehicles have – a catalytic converter – and they are typically found under the rear of a car or truck. At least half a dozen were stolen off vehicles just last week in the Denver area.

Catalytic converters are made with precious metals, including platinum. Recently, the value of that metal has gone up. A converter can be sold to a metal recycler for a couple hundred dollars and with the right machine, those recyclers can extract the metals and re-sell them for upwards of $6,000 an ounce.

Another reason they are frequently stolen is because they are so easy to remove.

"Catalytic converters can be removed within minutes. They get underneath the car using a battery powered saw of some sort, and they can take these off in three minutes to get what they’re after and get on down the road," Thornton Police Officer Matt Barnes said.

Catalytic converters are not easy to replace. It can cost up to $1,500 to buy and install one.

The good news: there are things you can do to prevent this from happening to you. Some auto repair shops recommend welding the catalytic converter to the rest of your exhaust system. You can also buy a CatClamp which is a cage installed around the catalytic converter. A CatClamp costs about $150 but the company offers a money back guarantee if the thief happens to break through.

Police are also recommending parking your car in well-lit areas. Smaller SUV’s, like Kia Sportages and Toyota 4-Runners, seem to be the target simply because the converters are easier to remove from those types of vehicles.

To read this article on the 9news.com, visit http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=134574&catid=339.