Car Thefts Are Down, Data Shows, But One Component Remains A Hot Item
Vehicle thefts in the U.S. have decreased significantly, reaching multi-decade lows in 2025. Despite this overall decline, catalytic converter theft remains a persistent problem, with over 137,000 reported stolen in 2025 alone. These thefts are driven by the valuable precious metals within the converters, such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium, making them a lucrative target for thieves who often dismantle vehicles in "chop shops" for parts. AI
