WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Latest catalytic-converter theft

| Crime | West Seattle news

Haley sent the report:

I live on 35th between Henderson and Trenton. Someone stole my catalytic converter off my 2000 Honda Accord last night. It was parked in the alley in our off street parking spot. Car is low to the ground so they must have had to jack it up in order to access the catalytic converter. Police report filed, but wanted to let others in the area know.

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, catalytic-converter theft grew tenfold nationwide between 2018 and 2020.

Balderdash August 27, 2021 (2:46 pm)

spend hundreds now to save thousands later. these low lifes are not going to stop until they saw off every cat in the county

sam-c August 27, 2021 (4:11 pm)

Can you share where you had that installed? thanks!
- S.A. August 27, 2021 (7:08 pm)
  
  White Center Muffler did mine on my Prius for less than $200, under an hour.
- Vee August 27, 2021 (8:43 pm)
  
  I got a shield installed about a month ago at Maestro Motors (WS triangle) for about $400 for my Honda Element.
Rara August 27, 2021 (4:22 pm)

How much and who can install it?
- Also John August 27, 2021 (4:45 pm)
  
  My sister had a Cat Security shield installed recently on her Prius. She bought the plate on-line and took it to Ty’s Auto Repair on Delridge for installation. The mechanic said he’s been installing them more frequently now. I’m sure any WS Blog auto mechanic sponsors can install them too.
  - WSB August 27, 2021 (4:57 pm)
    
    In fact, after ours was stolen in February, we had a protective device (there are many options) installed at West Seattle Autoworks (WSB sponsor and the only place we take our Element for maintenance/repairs, though we had to go elsewhere for the cc replacement as they at least at the time weren’t doing those). We also had to buy the protector ourselves – got it online.

KD August 27, 2021 (3:28 pm)

It should be automatic that every vehicle sole (no matter what model) just had the shields installed on them as mandatory and regular equipment. The cost would be so frikken small to manufacturers compared to the cost of individual crime victims, consumers and nationally insurance companies (which is passed on to all of us eventually) and it would make common sense.. shields for all, thwart the thieves now!

flimflam August 27, 2021 (3:54 pm)

That’s a good idea. Can thieves just chop through or break the bolts on these too though?
- S.A. August 27, 2021 (7:10 pm)
  
  Unlike an unshielded CC, these plates are very hard and would take a long time to cut through, even with an angle grinder. The appeal of CC theft is that they can cut one off and be away in 60-90 seconds. The more time one has to spend making loud noises in a public area, the less appealing the crime. That’s why the plates work.