I was listening to an interview on the radio this morning. Well sort of listening, until I realized the topic was preventing converter theft. I have a Toyota truck and keep a close eye on it. A policeman was being interviewed and explained how difficult it was to stop this crime. If they pull over somebody with a back seat full of converters they can't do much. They can't prove they are stolen so the thief just drives away. Innocent until proven guilty, not any specific laws on the books yet to address this crime. I missed most of the interview getting ready for a job interview myself. The one thing I did hear was this. Several police departments around the country are promoting a way to combat this crime. What he said people need to do is get an engraver, etcher or and permanently mark your vin number on your converter. I have an old engraver. He said however you can manage to get that number carved into the surface of your converter(s). Then buy a can of high temperature spray paint in a bright flashy color. Any color that stands out. Orange, lime green, whatever. He said if the police see that, it is reasonable cause to check it while it is right in front of them. Your vin and and address are on your car insurance. He said he can track down their phone number and call a person with the vin number. Then tell them to not hang up and ask them to go start their car. If it sounds terrible let him know right now. He said that is enough evidence to make an arrest on the spot. It also works at the scrap yard that buys stolen converters. I guess there is a possibility of getting your converter back too, I don't know.
I plan to do this when I get my transit in a couple weeks, it's on the production line now. A can of paint is less than $10 and I have an old engraver I did my tools with. You could use a small hobby grinder or just about anything to mark it. This sounded like such a good idea I wanted to share it here. It does not stop theft by itself no. It does make it easier to arrest the thief. And it will make it harder for him to sell if he does steal it. Scrap yards will know it can easily be proven to be stolen property. It also could possibly lead to eventual return of your converter.
Could be an opportunity for a young person to start a small business. Like the kids going around painting your address on the curb out front. Go door to door at $25 a vehicle? I suggested to the dealership they could offer this for a fee at delivery this afternoon talking to Kayla. She said they had just had a meeting about the same problem there on the lot. They were looking into what could be done to prevent it when I called.
I plan to do this when I get my transit in a couple weeks, it's on the production line now. A can of paint is less than $10 and I have an old engraver I did my tools with. You could use a small hobby grinder or just about anything to mark it. This sounded like such a good idea I wanted to share it here. It does not stop theft by itself no. It does make it easier to arrest the thief. And it will make it harder for him to sell if he does steal it. Scrap yards will know it can easily be proven to be stolen property. It also could possibly lead to eventual return of your converter.
Could be an opportunity for a young person to start a small business. Like the kids going around painting your address on the curb out front. Go door to door at $25 a vehicle? I suggested to the dealership they could offer this for a fee at delivery this afternoon talking to Kayla. She said they had just had a meeting about the same problem there on the lot. They were looking into what could be done to prevent it when I called.
