A few years ago catalytic converter theft became prevalent accross not just the Bay Area but the entire US. At the time we wrote about it and about the steps that could be taken to protect your vehicle from the thieves.
Well, it turns out that those thefts were not just driven by local individual thieves commiting an "crime of opportunity" - it turns out there were big actors who created organizations that crossed state lines and took the catalytic conveter theft income to a whole new level.
On July 21st 2025 US Department of Justice issued a press released about a New Jersey resident who pleaded guilty in federal court in Oklahoma to being in charge of a multi-state criminal organization, which mascaraded as New Jersey-based company called D.G. Auto Parts . The operation purchased and transported "large quantities" of catalytic converters stolen in many states, including Oklahoma and Texas, that were later sold to a refinery that extracted the precious metals from the stolen converters. How large were the quantities in question - turns out over $600 million dollars in resale value. Yes, over half a billion dollars of stolen catalytic converters were purchased and sold by the company.
Catalytic converter theft has subsided in recent years, as new laws, greter awarness amoung car owners, car shields, catalytic covnerter engraving with car VIN numbers, and a drop in the prices of some of the precious metals found in the catalytic converter increased arrest risks and lowered potential profits for the thieves. But this federal prosecutions shows the scale of the proceder in the past. Fortunately the worst is behind us, though we still recommend parking your car overnight inside the garage or in a well lit location - this deters thieves from targeting your car not just for catalytic converter theft, but for regular break-ins as well.