Theft of Catalytic Converters from Cars in Local Area Continues

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office, along with many other agencies, has continued to deal with the theft of catalytic converters. The reason for the thefts - the high price of precious metals.

According to Z6Mag, catalytic convertors contain three sought after metals on the recycle market – platinum, palladium and rhodium.  Nationwide Insurance reports that rhodium sells for roughly $9,500 an ounce, while platinum pays at about $2,000. Stolen parts are sold to scrap yards anywhere from $100 to $150 per part.

Despite the introduction of legislation designed to cut down on the illegal metal trade, it continues to happen. Just last week, WCSO reported that a catalytic converter was stolen on Lower Jersey Road. Also last week, a white male attempted to sell catalytic converters to a recycling center off Highway 78. He reportedly left in a hurry when the facility attempted to take a photograph.

The Cumming Patch reported that catalytic converters have become a common target for thieves in Forsyth County as well. In fact, thefts are being reported all over the U.S. with thieves crawling up under cars and just cutting the parts off.