Bayside Precinct Issues Warning About Catalytic Converter Thefts: NYPD

BAYSIDE, NY — A car part that contains a metal more valuable than gold is catnip for thieves in Bayside, police warned.

The NYPD's 109th Precinct issued a warning Wednesday that tells locals to watch their catalytic converters.

“Catalytic converter theft continues to plague the 109th Pct as well as the rest of the city,” according to the precinct in a Twitter post.

The precinct offered tips on social media on how best to keep one’s car part from being stolen and an explanation as to why thieves might steal that section of an engine’s exhaust system.

Converters contain precious metals, such as platinum, palladium and rhodium, which are more valuable than gold, according to the precinct.

Parking one’s car in a well lit area, installing an anti-theft device and etching a license plate number/VIN to the converter were the tips that the precinct has offered to the public to prevent further thefts.

Anyone who observes a catalytic converter theft in progress are asked to call 911, added the precinct.