Black Mountain Police investigate catalytic converter thefts

Six incidents reported in town over the weekend

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
June 8, 2021

Six Toyota Prius owners reported thefts of catalytic converters in Black Mountain, June 5 and 6. The Black Mountain Police Department is investing the incidents. Photo by Fred McCormick

The Black Mountain Police Department is investigating multiple catalytic converter thefts in the area, after six Toyota Prius owners within town limits filed reports, June 5 and 6. 

The local incidents are part of a growing nationwide trend.

Catalytic converters control a vehicle’s exhaust emissions and incorporate the use of platinum, palladium and rhodium. The standard part with which a Prius is equipped contains more of the valuable metals than other models, and the hybrid engine of the vehicles is less damaging to their overall quality. The part can be sold to scrap yards for up to $250, but cost Prius owners up to $3,000 to replace. 

Black Mountain experienced an uptick in reports of stolen catalytic converters before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to police chief Shawn Freeman. Those incidents became less frequent with residents quarantined in their homes, he said. 

Three reports were filed over the weekend in the area of Lake Tomahawk, while three calls came in from the vicinity of U.S. 70 on the west side of Black Mountain. The department believes at least one of the reported thefts occurred in broad daylight. 

“It’s too early in the investigations to tell if they’re related, or if they are independent of each other,” Freeman said. 

N.C. was one of the top five states for catalytic converter theft in 2020, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, which recommends multiple measures to help vehicle owners protect their property. Anti-theft devices are available for catalytic converters and the NICB suggests parking personal vehicles in a garage if possible, or installing motion sensor security lights nearby.