A converter stolen from an auto repair parking lot was one of 47 reported stolen in Ham Lake last year.
This last Thanksgiving we had a catalytic converter stolen. We have a fenced in area, but the guys walk around back and they simply just take a sawzall and wire cutters and they can simply cut these cats right out,” said Jason Barrows, owner of Blatz M&E Auto Repair.
It’s a problem all over the country. Catalytic converters are a key part of the exhaust system, and contain valuable minerals including platinum, palladium, and rhodium to help clean toxins from the exhaust. Even a few grams of these metals can be worth hundreds of dollars to a thief.
Parking areas along Highway 65 seem to be a target.
“We have a lot of used car dealers and a lot of businesses along the 65 corridor,” said Ham Lake Council Member Jesse Wilken. “A lot of them work normal business hours, so that makes them an easy target on nights and weekends for thieves passing through our city.”
One used car dealer told us he caught thieves twice with security cameras. Making an arrest is unusual, and after hearing from a local business, the Ham Lake City Council decided to take action.
“The problem is currently under normal theft laws, you have to be able to point to ‘this catalytic converter came from a vehicle over here and I didn’t have permission of that person to take their catalytic converter,’” City Attorney Joe Murphy told the council. “It’s a little bit harder to prove just a theft.”
Ham Lake’s ordinance makes it a misdemeanor to sell or buy converters unless you are a licensed repair shop or used parts dealer. It also prohibits possessing converters without proof of ownership.
“It’s important because it gives our law enforcement another tool in their belt to prosecute these criminals that are caught in possession of catalytic converters,” said Council Member Wilken. “Currently they have to either catch them in the act, or find the vehicle that the individual catalytic converter came from in order to prosecute.”
Jason Barrows says something is needed because it’s too easy for thieves. As a car repair shop owner, he sees customers with stolen converters at least a couple times a month.
“I’ve got one lady right now with a Mitsubishi Outlander, it’s the worst, one of the top ones to be stolen and there are none available,” said Barrows. “Everybody’s stealing them but manufacturers can’t keep up with demand.”
Council Member Wilken hopes to have an impact.
“I hope it will send a message to the criminals to stay out of our city.”
The Ham Lake City Council passed the ordinance on first reading on February 7th. Final action was planned for the next meeting on February 22nd.
