Theft of Auto Part Soars As Metal Prices Keep Rising: Scrap Yards Could See Tougher Rules
By Gina Damron, Detroit Free Press
Mar. 6–Thefts of catalytic converters are on the rise in Troy, where dozens have been sawed off of vehicles since mid-July, according to police.
“It seems to be the trend,” said Lt. Gerald Scherlinck.
And law enforcement agencies throughout metro Detroit are having to deal with the problem as the value of the converters rises, thanks to the increasing worth of the precious metals they contain.
“It’s definitely becoming a big problem,” said Terri Miller, director of Help Eliminate Auto Thefts, a statewide organization. She said anecdotes from law enforcement officials show an increase statewide.
A catalytic converter can fetch $75 to $100 at a scrap yard — but costs more than $1,000 to replace, depending on the vehicle, Scherlinck said.
In Troy, about 66 have been stolen since mid-July, he said. Macomb County’s auto-theft squad responded to dozens of thefts in Warren about two months ago. More recently, more than a dozen converters were removed from vehicles at two apartment complexes in Harrison Township, said the squad’s commander, Lt. John Michalke.
Detective Lt. Richard Hayward, with the Michigan State Police western Wayne auto theft unit, couldn’t quantify how many thefts there have been, but said there has been a noticeable increase in the past year.
“If it wasn’t for the price of the commodity being so high, there certainly wouldn’t be as many thefts of these converters now,” he said.
The values of the metals inside the converters — platinum, palladium and rhodium — have skyrocketed in the past few years, according to commodity experts.
Rhodium’s value has jumped from about $400 per ounce four years ago to $8,000 per ounce, said Joe Glenski, manager of the wholesale coin division of Finest Known in Boca Raton, Fla. Platinum’s value is up to $2,000 per ounce from about $360, and palladium is now valued at about $500 an ounce, up from about $350.
Police and state officials have said that tougher laws on scrap yards would help curb the thefts. Current regulations require scrap dealers to keep keep documentation of transactions, such as receipts, police said. But state Rep. Andy Meisner, D-Ferndale, chair of the House Commerce Committee, said the committee is expected to hear a proposal next month that calls for stronger regulations.
The proposal, he said, calls for businesses to keep a paper trail and get sellers’ identification.
Contact GINA DAMRON at 248-351-3293 or gdamron@freepress.com.
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