Catalytic converter thefts continue in Chapman and OC

Throughout the county and the U.S., many people have been experiencing their catalytic converters being stolen in the last few months. Photo from The Panther Archives

Residents of Orange County and its surrounding areas have become aware of various catalytic converter thefts that have continued to occur since 2021.

These thefts have begun taking place at Chapman University too, with two students and a campus shuttle reporting that this car part had been stolen from their vehicles. All three thefts took place on the Orange campus.

However, Orange County is not the only place where this theft has been reported. Catalytic theft has been reported throughout the country as well as in other parts of the world.

People often target these car parts for various reasons, but the main appeal is the precious metals that can be extracted from them. Platinum, rhodium and palladium are three metals that can be taken from catalytic converters and then sold for a high price.

The process of stealing a converter from a car is also a very simple and fast process that can be completed in 30 seconds or less, making this part a target for many thieves. 

However, as catalytic converter theft becomes more popular, there is more being done in efforts to stop this from happening. For example, many catalytic converter buyers around Orange Country are now requiring proof that the seller owns the catalytic converter before it can be sold.

Chapman’s Chief of Public Safety Rick Gonzalez discussed the measures the university is taking to address the thefts in an email interview with The Panther. 

“We have really stepped up our patrols of the parking structures and parking lots,” Gonzalez wrote. “Our officers know the types of vehicles that are routinely targeted and make sure to specifically check on those vehicles.”

Gonzalez also has various suggestions for how to avoid having vehicles targeted and what should be done to avoid this issue.

“Install a catalytic converter-specific security device,” Gonzalez suggested. “You can also engrave your car’s VIN number to the catalytic converter. We have an engraver at the DPS station and are happy to assist.”