At least three catalytic converters are stolen per month in Hillsdale County, according to the sheriff’s office.

“We deal with catalytic converter thefts on a regular basis, which have been going on for years across the country,” City of Hillsdale Police Department Detective Brad Martin said. “We had three stolen in the month of September, and more in preceding months.”

This specific car part is stolen with frequency due to its ease of access and lucrative platinum composition, according to Martin.

Catalytic converters change gasses like carbon monoxide into safe gasses like carbon dioxide or steam. Thieves typically steal catalytic converters because they contain rare earth metals like platinum, rhodium, and palladium, the presence of which allows stolen converters to sell for $50 to $250.

Martin said car owners should be vigilant, as the theft of a catalytic converter can happen very quickly.

“Now with the advent of battery powered reciprocating saws, they can get it done in minutes,” Martin said.

Dean of Men Aaron Petersen was one of the most recent victims. Living outside city limits near the Hillsdale County Municipal Airport, he has been relying on the help of the sheriff’s office.

“It made everyone in our neighborhood a little uneasy that people are prowling about, seeking the ruin of catalytic converters,” Petersen said. 

Around 1 a.m. on Aug. 15, one of Petersen’s college-aged kids came home and parked the family van outside.

“My daughter Mary Ellen went out in the morning to go to work and it sounded like a tank,” Petersen said.

Cars with missing catalytic converters make loud noises, as the part quiets the exhaust system. Replacement parts and installation can cost upwards of $2,000, according to Autozone.

“Our local mechanic in town was the one who told us we had it stolen,” Petersen said. “I didn’t know what was wrong with the car. The insurance doesn’t cover everything, so there was a financial burden. We had to share cars for a while.”

The theft from Petersen’s van resembled many others, as it targeted a lifted vehicle parked outside in a rural area.

“It’s a big Ford 350 van, it has a big truck chassis that was easy to get under and it’s parked outside,” Petersen said. “There was an exterior motion sensor light, which made us think it happened around 3 or 4 a.m.”

The car part is frequently stolen due to its lack of identification and ease of access. Petersen said he experienced this first hand when reaching out to his mechanic.

“Seeing as they don’t have serial numbers, it’s not good enough to say whose car is whose,” Martin said. “Make sure to park your car in a garage, or add lighting to deter thieves.”

A similar theft occurred on Sept. 24 outside the village of Waldron in Hillsdale County. A man, yet to be identified, cut off a passenger van’s catalytic converter. Numerous residents said the suspect’s car was a beige or silver Dodge Caliber.

“We are seeking information regarding thefts in the Waldron area,” the sheriff’s office said. “If you recognize this individual or the light colored passenger car please contact Deputy Edmonson with the Hillsdale County Sheriff’s Office at 517-437-7317.”

In order to prevent further thefts, any person interested in the re-sale of catalytic converters should be required to show a vehicle title, according to Martin, who said many junk yards are ignoring the new initiative.

In the meantime, if residents are looking to protect their vehicles, police recommend they park in a secure, well-lit area. Catalytic converters may also be painted or stamped with an identifying number at an auto repair shop.