Utah tackling skyrocketing catalytic converter theft

By JORDAN MILLER
The Salt Lake Tribune

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A statewide analysis of police records from the attorney general’s office shows the theft of catalytic converters from cars in Utah has surged by 585% over the last three years. The Salt Lake Tribune reports that as individuals and businesses continue to foot big-ticket repair bills for such thefts, the Legislature is considering a bill that would better catalog the devices and help clamp down on their resale. A catalytic converter is part of a vehicle’s exhaust system, which filters emissions coming out of a car’s tailpipe. The converters contain small amounts of precious metals that have spiked in value lately, which is what is believed to have caused the uptick in theft.