The Umansky Law Firm

Catalytic converters are placed on vehicles to reduce emissions from the engine. They use a catalyst to convert chemicals from harmful, such as the very harmful carbon monoxide, into inert or less harmful chemicals, like carbon dioxide. They are also full of precious metals that are worth a lot of money. As a result, thieves are allegedly removing them from vehicles in cities all over Florida, as well as across the country.

Last month in DeLand, catalytic converters were stolen from 48 new Kia SUVs and seven used Kias from the lot of a dealership in one night. According to Nationwide Insurance, there are 25 catalytic converters stolen every month in the US.

The metals in catalytic converters include rhodium, platinum, and palladium. Rhodium currently sells for $9500 an ounce, while platinum currently sells for around $2000 an ounce. However, the thieves are allegedly selling the converters to scrap yards for only a couple hundred dollars.

This is obviously low, but the report states that someone who knows what they're doing can remove a converter in as little as 20 seconds, and definitely less than ten minutes. SUVs are most often the target because they are higher off the ground and easier to get beneath.

Getting caught stealing catalytic converters can seriously curtail your future plans, especially if you wind up in prison.

If you have been charged with theft in Orange County or Orlando, Florida, or anywhere else in the state of Florida, please contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the Umansky Law Firm today for an initial case consultation.