Caught not in act, but with catalytic converters

Estely Cruz, of Unionport, drove confidently through the northwest Bronx last Friday afternoon. But instead of hitting rush hour traffic, he led a high-speed police chase where he went on the sidewalk. And to the 50th Precinct’s surprise, Cruz was a catalytic converter thief.

It wasn’t clear why police pulled over Cruz. It is possible officers sought him as a suspect as they might identified the Massachusetts license plate on the car he was driving as being stolen.

“Obviously, if you’re going to commit a crime — you won’t use your own license plate. We’ve made arrests for that (stolen or fake plates), hoping to get these guys,” a police told The Riverdale Press at February’s 50th Precinct community council meeting.

Cruz was arrested on the corner of West Kingsbridge Road and University Avenue. He was found in possession of four catalytic converters and burglar tools, including the license plate, said a spokesperson for New York Police Department’s deputy commissioner, public information.

Cruz was charged with one dozen infractions or counts, including failure to obey an officer, traffic violation and reckless endangerment.

The number of converter thefts within the Bronx has increased from 390 in 2021 to 1,243 last year, according to DCPI.

“Catalytic converter theft is a significant problem across the country, with recent spikes caused by the increasing value of the precious metal contained in the part,” said a representative for the Alliance for Automotive Innovation.

There has been a spike in prices for these precious metals, particularly since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, where much of the metal is mined.

The new commanding officer, Capt. Filastine Srour, said she has gone out of the budget to give the special operations team overtime. They cover grand larcenies as well. To catch a criminal stealing a vehicle or catalytic converter is quite the challenge as the perps need to be caught in the act. It can take one minute to detach a catalytic converter from some cars.

“What the special operation team looks for are suspicious vans in the area,” Srour said. “We have a pattern with a white van and that white van is what a crew is using to take these converters to store them and run away.” 

Criminals are “charged with a misdemeanor, possession of stolen property, and then unfortunately, it is out of our hands after that,” she said. The District Attorney’s office takes it from there, she said.

Catalytic converter theft considered a misdemeanor. Since it not a felony, there is a good chance such criminals go back on the street and back to stealing converters and other automobile parts.

In some states,  such as Arizona, both Democratic and Republican lawmakers on the senate judiciary committee agreed to advance a new bill to make catalytic converter theft a felony. According to the Phoenix New Times, the criminal would face up to 18 months in prison with a $150,000 fine for each offense.

“Why can’t we turn that into a felony? Why can’t we send some of these guys to prison,” said Saul Scheinbach, a longtime Riverdale resident.

In Missouri, the tougher converter theft law led to a trio of thieves being sentenced to prison.

According to Associated Press reports, court records showed Evan Marshall was the ringleader. He was sentenced to 5 years and 10 months. Marshall stole a total of $1 million or more in emission control devices. Meanwhile, he purchased other devices from the co-defendants.

“They make more money than me,” Scheinbach said, laughing. “They don’t have any other job. This is their job.”

“Would you like to make $2,000 a week and not pay taxes? And if you’re waiting for your lawyer to bail you out — it’s worth it.”

The state motor vehicles department recovered 81 stolen automobile parts worth more than $67,000.

In October, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation requiring auto dealers to start an etching program on new vehicles.

The initiative allows auto dealers to etch a unique tracible serial number onto the catalytic converter that can be clearly seen and linked back to a car from which it was stolen.

During that time, the NYPD’s auto crime unit hosted a free theft prevention event in Orchard Beach. Over 350 cars were etched, but it was not an easy task. Officers could not put vehicles on lifts, police told The Press.

Instead, they use jacks and etch in a number. Once the car heats up — it’s permanent.

After an officer from the 50th Precinct put stickers on the back of the car to “warn” criminals that the vehicle had been etched.

It is similar to a home security system that warns criminals that the home alarm activated.

Automakers have made points to lawmakers around the United States that used vehicles are the primary target and should be the main focus. Also, automakers claim there is no evidence etching discourages catalytic converter theft.

It is not proven — but a etching or engraving can damage the converter rendering it ineffective for clear air purposes, according to the alliance.

Since the 1970s, these converters have been a part of cars transforming compounds from engine emissions into safer gases.

Since older models are primary targets, automakers have responded to this wave by creating less visible converters that are more difficult for thieves to access.

Scheinbach said he knows someone whose converter was stolen multiple times.

He remembers that she may have put a protective band around it.

Victims of such crimes rely on their car insurance to cover the costs. Progressive says only if you have comprehensive coverage will a catalytic converter theft “typically” be covered along with other damages. This coverage refers to a specific coverage on non-collision events to an existing policy.

Meanwhile, in the first half of last year, State Farm received more than 23,000 theft claims. Data shows the total payouts in the previous six months of 2020 were slightly more than $12 million in claims. The following year, the number grew to more the $21 million.