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Heavy Metal(s) Headaches

Duke Police say rising metal prices make car catalytic converter a target

Duke lab tech Keith Warshany was recently the victim of a theft of his car's catalytic converter.

Duke lab technologist Keith Warshany got an unpleasant surprise recently when he started his Toyota truck in a campus parking lot.

"It sounded like an airplane," said Warshany, 27, who works in Duke's adult bone marrow and stem cell program. "I know a bit about cars, so I knew it was probably something wrong with my exhaust system, but I also knew that I couldn't have lost my muffler on the way to work without realizing it."

Warshany crawled under his 2003 Tacoma and discovered that the catalytic converter -- a device attached to vehicle exhaust systems to reduce emissions -- was missing. It had been removed with a metal cutting tool.

"At first, I couldn't imagine why anyone would steal a catalytic converter, but when I looked it up on the Internet, I found out that it's going on all over the country," he said.

Catalytic converters are prime targets for theft nationwide, including the Triangle area. They contain traces of platinum, palladium and rhodium -- precious metals whose value continues to soar.

In recent weeks, about 10 converters have been stolen from cars on campus, primarily in the H Lot on Anderson Street and Best Lot on Hillsborough Road. Duke Police said Honda CRVs, Nissan Frontiers and other SUVs are being targeted because they are easy to slide under. In the latest case, a Duke staff member reported a converter stolen from her 1993 Honda Accord in the Best Lot on Hillsborough Road.

To help prevent thefts on campus, Duke Police officers have stepped up patrols in parking lots. They're on the watch for something unusual: legs.

"Officers patrolling parking lots will be looking out for anything suspicious, including legs sticking out from under cars," said Major Gloria Graham, Duke Police uniform patrol commander. "Stealing converters has become a big problem around the country in the past year because the value of precious metals is going up. We want to make sure the Duke community is aware and takes extra precautions."

Since stealing a converter doesn't require entering the vehicle, most car alarms won't help, she said. Duke Police urge the Duke community to report suspicious activity in parking lots or other campus areas and to attempt to park in well-lit areas.

converter
The catalytic converter

"If you see someone under your car when you're walking up to it, or under any other car, don't confront them," Graham said. "Immediately go to a safe area and call 911."

Used catalytic converters fetch about $200, according to national news reports. Replacing the part can cost between $400 and $1,500, automotive experts say. Vehicles in North Carolina must have one to comply with state emission standards.

For Warshany, a replacement for his Toyota cost about $1,000.

"I had to pay a $250 insurance deductible to cover it," he said. "What blows me away the most is that the people buying these converters or the metals from them have to know they're stolen. Unfortunately, with today's economy, I don't think thieves are going to stop stealing them."