PHILADELPHIA - As criminals continue to target catalytic converters in cities and suburbs across the country, mechanics who see the costly damage first-hand shared what models are most commonly picked on.
Catalytic converters are part of a vehicle's exhaust system that helps filter out pollutants. They're found on the underside of the car and can be removed within minutes with a metal-cutting tool.
Criminals target catalytic converters because they contain expensive precious metals like rhodium, platinum and palladium. Thieves can expect to get anywhere from $50 to $300 if they sell the converters to scrapyards, which then sell them to recycling facilities to reclaim the precious metals inside.Police in a Philadelphia suburb warned residents of catalytic converter thefts.
Experts say the thefts have become far too common and leave victims needing costly repairs.In recent years, law enforcement agencies across the country have been trying to thwart the rampant thefts that can cost victims upwards of $1,000.