[rwhitman]

Not sure why this is news worthy. When my Prius catalytic converter was stolen, the mechanic i went to in Silver Lake offered to put one of these on my car and I did. A lot of mechanics in LA will do this for the car models that get them stolen frequently

[JumpCrisscross]

> Not sure why this is news worthy

It’s a phenomenon unique to specific models in specific parts of the country.

[PaulHoule]

Why don't people steal them from other cars? Why isn't it a problem in other geographies? Do cars in CA need a different cat because of CARB?

[JumpCrisscross]

> Why don't people steal them from other cars?

They do. The Prius is overrepresented "because their catalytic converters contain more unused precious metals than standard gasoline-powered vehicles" [1].

> Why isn't it a problem in other geographies?

It is [2]. It's just a bigger problem in California [3].

[1] https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/on-your-side-prius-i...

[2] https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-...

[3] https://www.autoaccessoriesgarage.com/Insights/Catalytic-Con...

[chucksta]

They do and it is. Guessing but it likely comes down to the distribution of Prius throughout the US

https://www.forbes.com/sites/tanyamohn/2021/11/19/thefts-of-...

https://www.usatoday.com/story/driveon/2013/01/22/toyota-pri...

[JumpCrisscross]

> Guessing but it likely comes down to the distribution of Prius throughout the US

Didn't think of it before. But these operations must benefit from the economies of scale such a concentration of Prius's drives.

[smegsicle]

1. some cars are easier to get under, or have more expensive cats (hybrids fit the second category)

2. cats are usually traded for drugs, so such operations are more common in areas with more drug problems (the kind of people who can recycle them tend to have drug connections, and the kind of people willing to grab them tend to be addicts)