This site is closed to new comments and posts.

Notice: This site uses cookies to function.
If you are not comfortable with cookies then please don't browse this website.

Hide yo catalytic converters! — Brooklynian

Hide yo catalytic converters!

bootstrap
bootstrap
edited November -1 in Park Slope

Some crackhead sawed the catalytic converter right out from underneath my vehicle. Imagine my surprise when I started my car on Thursday morning (parked on 8th Ave b/w 3rd St and 4th St) and it sounded like a dragster. I looked underneath to discover that someone had shimmied under and sawed off my exhaust pipe in 2 places and taken the catalytic converter!

I did a little digging to find that I haven't been the only victim of this crackhead crime...especially my make / model (Toyota 4Runner, which apparently has a converter that can bring a higher price at salvage yard). Seriously, though. WTF?! When all said and done, it cost me about $700 and a day at the mechanic.

Watch out for converter thieves walking around Park Slope in the middle of the night with handsaws and looking to get under your car to steal part of your exhaust system.

Comments

  • slopeduder
    slopeduder

    Thanks for yet another reason I'm glad I don't own a car.

  • dance rehearsal
    dance rehearsal

    I doubt it was a crackhead...

    It was probably the same crew that stole 4 tires and wheels off an Acura a couple weeks ago on 10th btw 6th and 7th.

    Yup - all 4 wheels, in the middle of the night. They left the car on blocks.

  • armchair_warrior
    armchair_warrior

    I once witness wheel stealing at that time I didn't realize it was wheel stealing. I thought these young fine gentlemen was changing their wheel, next morning show up near my van lol. the car that got their wheel changed happen to have all their wheels stolen. This happen off course like 3am in the morning.

  • oneoneone
    oneoneone

    Catalytic converters contain some precious metals and scrap yards pay a premium for them.

    Battery powered hand tools make quick work of cutting them off, not so much a crackhead's game as a few guys and a van.

    SUV's get hit as it's easy to wriggle underneath.

  • bkchickie
    bkchickie

    Ugh, I'm so sorry. This kind of theft was big a few years ago when scrap metal prices were a lot higher.

    Just one more reason I'm happy to be car free in NYC.

  • bootstrap
    bootstrap

    so i didn't realize i would be corrected for calling the thiefs crackheads. they may not be, but it is a crackhead crime.

    kind of disheartening that this happened right out on 8th avenue and 4th street, but i guess i'm not terribly surprised...

    hope this doesn't happen to anyone else.

  • nuyorican70
    nuyorican70

    So funny how you wrote "yo" instead of "your" - really amusing how you chose a form of "ebonics" / street slang to imply whatever you intended to imply - brilliant !

  • shacked26
    shacked26

    Pretty sure it was a reference to the bed intruder song nuyorican70.

  • whynot_31
    whynot_31

    oneoneone said:

    Catalytic converters contain some precious metals and scrap yards pay a premium for them.

    Battery powered hand tools make quick work of cutting them off, not so much a crackhead's game as a few guys and a van.

    SUV's get hit as it's easy to wriggle underneath.

    yup

    recommended tools:

    Goggles

    Battery operated grinder

    However, if you were too broke to have a van and too much of a loser to have friends, you might be able to carry this equipment in a bookbag, and then carry your newly stolen catalytic converter in a Hefty bag.

    ....times are tough. Gotta cut costs.

  • armchair_warrior
    armchair_warrior

    you don't do it with friends! come on then you got to cut them a share of the profits. its always better as a 1 man job.

  • nuyorican70
    nuyorican70

    I love that song

  • new2nyc
    new2nyc

    AHHHHHH!!!! Mine got stolen early summer,too! They took the whole damn pipe underneath my 4runner, nice clean saw job. $2000 later...

  • new2nyc
    new2nyc

    oh oh....in the MIDDLE OF THE DAY!

  • oneoneone
    oneoneone

    Converter 'guards' are available:

    http://www.cat-lock.com/

  • soldiersantana
    soldiersantana

    During the bad days of the 70s I had my hubcaps stolen on numerous occasions. It seems like history repeats itself every 25 years.

Sign In or Register to comment.

Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!

Sign In

Categories