Catalytic converter thefts: Warning for SA motorists as opportunistic thieves strike

Police have urged drivers to report suspicious activity after a western suburbs woman’s vehicle was targeted in broad daylight by opportunistic thieves.

Police have issued a fresh warning to motorists after the brazen theft of a western suburbs woman’s expensive vehicle part.

The victim shared a plea for CCTV footage to Facebook after opportunistic crooks stole her car’s catalytic converter in broad daylight at Mile End on Tuesday.

“Between 6.30am and 9.40am this morning our red Toyota Prius was jacked up and the catalytic converter was ripped out,” she said.

“The thieves were working in the road in broad daylight.”

All Australian vehicles manufactured after 1986 are fitted with catalytic converters, which are an integral part of the car’s emission controls.

Last year, SA Police warned South Australians to mark their converters or make them difficult to remove after a spate of thefts across the metropolitan area.

A western suburbs woman says her car's catalytic converter was stolen by thieves in broad daylight. Picture: Facebook

The tiny part can fetch hundreds of dollars second-hand. Picture: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

In one Elizabeth Vale bust, which led to the arrest of three men, police found a stolen vehicle, 20 exhaust systems with missing catalytic converters and 15 different South Australian registration plates.

While they may look innocuous, the small parts can be sold under-the-table for the valuable precious metals they contain, including platinum and palladium.

Currently, second-hand catalytic converters can be found listed online for between $120 and $500.

While police on Tuesday told The Advertiser there had been “no increase” in catalytic converter thefts since then, they urged the public to report any suspicious activity around motor vehicles.

“Police are concerned with all thefts and seek the assistance of the public to report all thefts,” an SA Police spokesman said.

To avoid being targeted, owners are encouraged to park cars in a locked garage where possible, or in a well-lit, populated area.