Nevada Law Regarding Catalytic Converters Is Bringing New Hope
A new law is now in effect in Las Vegas. One that makes it a federal crime to profit from the theft or sales of catalytic converters. The Nevada law…
Man in jeans and black t-shirt is in handcuffs and up against a white car. Cropped photo from the torso to knees. New Nevada Law Regarding Catalytic Converters is giving Metro the right to arrest someone suspected of converter theft.
Rafa Jodar via Getty ImagesA new law is now in effect in Las Vegas. One that makes it a federal crime to profit from the theft or sales of catalytic converters. The Nevada law comes after hundreds of catalytic converters went missing over the last few years. Many of them right from the driveways of their owners.
Law enforcement were rarely able to catch the criminals or recover stolen converters. Leaving Nevada residents feeling frustrated and helpless to stop it. But since the new law went into effect, the city is already seeing some relief.
Details Of Nevada Law Regarding Catalytic Converters
The new law, titled SB 243, went into effect October 1, 2023. And now makes it a felony to be involved in the theft or illegal sale of a catalytic converter. And, according to the traffic laws page of the Nevada DMV website, there's not a lot of wiggle room.
The law states that someone only has to be in possession of two converters to be guilty of a crime in Nevada. Unless they can prove they are a licensed wrecker, processor of scrap metal, or a business that deals in catalytic converters, processing more than two converters can mean big trouble.
Even the legitimate owner of a catalytic converter has to be careful. If a vehicle owner is in possession of two used converters, they have to be able to prove that they are the registered owner. Fortunately, they can do this by providing documentation that matches the VIN on the car to the one etched on the converter. But not having the necessary papers can be the difference between going free and going downtown for even a legal converter owner.
The new law also prohibits the purchase of a used converter from anyone not authorized to sell them. This includes a licensed and authorized business dealing in converters, or the owner of the vehicle the converter belongs to. Even scrap metal processors must document all converter purchases.
What Nevada Has Seen So Far From The New Law
It did not take long after the passing of SB 243 went into effect for progress to be seen. Fox5vegas.com reported that an arrest was made in November. Just a little over a month after the passing of the new law. According to the report, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department pulled a driver over for not having a rear license plate. And when they found two cut catalytic converters in the back of the car, they were able to make an arrest. Something they wouldn't have had enough cause to do before SB 243 went into effect.
Nevada Law Regarding Catalytic Converters Bringing New Hope To Residents
My neighbor was a victim of catalytic converter theft. The criminal was able to cut the converter off from her car in less than a minute. Which is the typical amount of time it takes for this kind of crime to happen. And sometimes it takes months to get a new converter.
Fortunately, my neighbor was issued a rental car by her insurance company. But many in Las Vegas aren't so lucky. And some lose their ability to drive altogether until they are able to get a replacement part, which can cost up to $2,500, according to autozone.com.
While, SB 243 has brought some relief to Nevada residents, it's too soon to tell if the harsher punishments will preemptively deter criminals. For many, there's hope that it will. And since Metro can now legally arrest someone who might be guilty of this kind of crime, there's at least the possibility for justice. And that, in and of itself, is more than we had before.
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Thieves Target These 10 Cars For Catalytic Converters In Nevada
The theft of catalytic converters in Las Vegas is a plaguing problem.
You've seen the stories on the news, maybe you know someone or maybe you're a victim of this trending criminal activity: Catalytic convertors are being stolen at a high rate.
And it seems like in the past five years, a rush of more catalytic convertors have been plucked out of cars and sold as scrap metal. In 2022, catalytic convertor thefts were 540% higher across the country compared to 2020, according to USA Today.
It's a relatively "easy" crime that requires a sly person to slip under a car, to saw off the pollution-controlling device and to ultimately sell off the metal from the converter.
It's a costly item that ranges in the thousands to get replaced, and most insurance doesn't cover theft of catalytic convertors.
Catalytic convertors help clean a car's exhaust and filters out harmful pollution coming from the car's tailpipe.
Precious metals, such as platinum and palladium, are used in the catalytic convertors, which are some-what valuable when sold off as scrap metal. The disrupted supply chain has also increased the prices for these metals. Someone who sells a catalytic convertor and its metals can get anywhere from $50 to $1,000 depending on the quantity and quality of the metal.
But despite this increasing trend of stolen catalytic convertors, there are a few ways to protect your car.
The most common way is to park in a manner where thieves are unable to climb underneath. Keep your car in a garage (if you have one) and avoid street parking if possible. If you must park in the street, or in a public parking lot, then try to stay in a well-lit area near buildings or anywhere that may have a security camera.
Also, a AAA driver once told us to spray paint your catalytic convertor with a bright color like neon orange, bright pink, red, etc. This will deter a possible thief for a few reasons. It's harder to sell a spray-painted catalytic convertor, and the thief may think that the convertor is linked with a specific car, per the AAA worker's recommendation.
8 News Now published an article that outlines the 10 most popular cars that thieves target when it comes to stealing catalytic convertors. Scroll down below to see if your car is on the list!
10. Dodge Journey
The tenth most popular car among catalytic convertor theft is a Dodge Journey. This car's size and popularity makes it a prime target.
9. Chevrolet Equinox
A Chevy Equinox is the ninth most popular car when it comes to people targeting vehicles for catalytic convertors. Considering this is one of the most popular cars across the country, it makes sense why this vehicle is a hot target for this crime trend.
8. Chevrolet Silverado
A catalytic convertor replacement for a Chevy Silverado can cost more than $2,000 -- just for the part, according to RepairPal.com. From the precious metals to the ease of sliding underneath the truck, the Silverado is another prime target for catalytic convertor theft. The Silverado takes eight place on the top 10 most targeted cars for catalytic convertor theft.
7. Subaru Forester
Subaru is one of the most popular vehicle makes in the West. The high degree of precious metals within this model's catalytic convertor makes it a prime target for car theft in general and catalytic convertor apple picking.
6. Toyota Prius
Placing sixth on the list is a Toyota Prius. Due to the car being a hybrid model, there are more precious metals within the car's interior products. Thus, making this model's catalytic convertor much more expensive.
5. Chevrolet Cruze
Although it's no longer in production, the Chevrolet Cruze is one of the most coveted cars when it comes to catalytic convertor theft. The metals and the abundance of this car makes it a prime ride to steal catalytic convertors from.
4. Ford Econoline
The E-Series, which is the fourth generation Econoline, reached the fourth spot on our "Top 10" list. Due to the fact that many companies and organizations use this model for work or business purposes, it could be understood why these cars are plagued with the problem of getting their catalytic convertors stolen.
3. Honda CR-V
This popular car is hot among thieves who are looking for a quick pay day. Precious metals and the popularity of the car makes for this vehcile to land on the third spot for most popular cars that are targeted by catalytic convertor thieves.
2. Ford F Series Truck
It's one of the most best-selling cars in America: The Ford F Series Truck. It almost received the #1 spot, but the degree of theft wasn't as high as the next car on the list.
1. Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is one of the hottest vehicles when it comes to getting your catalytic convertor stolen. From the precious metals inside of the convertor and to sheer popularity of the car, this make received first place on this list.
