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The theft of auto parts is on the rise across the U.S. – and Tempe is no exception.
According to a recent report from State Farm, Arizona ranked No. 9 in the nation for claims of auto parts theft in 2021. Since 2019, State Farm said it has seen an increase of 12,771% in the number of claims paid in the state.
The part most often stolen, according to State Farm, are catalytic converters, an emissions control device in the exhaust system underneath a car.
In 2019, the insurance provider paid $9,900 for seven catalytic converter theft claims in Arizona. By the end of 2021, State Farm said it paid $1.4 million for approximately 901 catalytic converter theft claims in the state.
According to Tempe Police Department spokesperson Sgt. Hector Encinas, the problem is rising in Tempe along with the national trend. The department’s most recent data from July 23, 2021, through Oct. 15, 2021, showed a total of 195 catalytic converter thefts reported. Tempe Police said the critical part can cost up to $2,000 to replace.
“Certain types of vehicles are more attractive and lucrative depending on the amount of metal the catalytic converter has,” said Encinas. “Each vehicle make and model is slightly different. The top one or most lucrative is the Toyota Prius.”
Encinas noted it is illegal to sell auto parts if they are not your own, but that isn’t stopping many would-be sellers from taking the “quick and easy to steal” parts. Removal can take less than one minute, according to Tempe PD.
A quick search on OfferUp shows hundreds of catalytic converters for sale.
To help combat the crime wave, Tempe Police suggest parking in a garage or well-lit area, engraving your car’s VIN number into its catalytic converter, installing a protection device for the car and installing a car alarm to set off when it detects vibration.
Lindsay is a Phoenix native and is thrilled to be reporting in her hometown.
After spending several years in advertising after college, she switched gears and graduated with her master’s degree in journalism at Arizona State University in 2019.
When she’s not writing, you can usually find her reading a book or playing with her family’s dogs.
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