The Sealy Police Department has reported a surge of catalytic converter thefts directly from vehicles across Sealy in the past few weeks costing victims thousands in replacement costs. Thieves have been known to slide under cars or trucks and remove the device within minutes, often in search of the valuable platinum, palladium, and rhodium inside.

The converter is an exhaust emission control device that has become standard in most gasoline-powered vehicles since the mid-1970s. Replacement for the device was estimated at around $900 by an auto repair shop in Sealy.

According to Detective Jason Manies with the Sealy Police Department, there have been more than five catalytic converter thefts in the past couple of days. Sealy Chief of Police Jay Reeves said that four of the converters were stolen from vehicles belonging to local businesses since Dec. 23.

“This was the first time I've known of it in my 30 years,” said Reeves of the surge in converter thefts. “Usually (it) takes them some anywhere from - depends on the vehicle - a minute to two minutes depending on the tools that they have to get it out.”

Victims often are made aware of the theft by a roaring sound coming from their vehicle similar to that of a performance vehicle revving its engine. The Chief of Police had several suggestions for concerned residents who want to prevent the theft from happening to their own vehicles.

“Park in well-lit areas, areas where you're not parked alone just letting your vehicle stand out. You can etch your license plates (number) on it or your driver's license number on the catalytic converter itself. (Stores) also sell devices like a little cage system that you can take and mount up around it. That'll be a deterrent because understand that these people are looking to get in quickly and get out as quickly as they can. So any deterrent that you can add to it will make them move on,” explained Reeves. “The longer they're there, the greater chance they're going to be caught.”

Other than the aforementioned deterrents and parking in more secure areas, there is little prevention that can be done to protect the device from theft.

“Unfortunately, you generally don't find out until you go out and start your vehicle and it makes a loud noise that you're not used to hearing, and at that point if you notice that's happened to your vehicle contact the police department,” Reeves said.

Reeves ended his interview with The Sealy News by encouraging residents to remain alert and share any information they have concerning the surge of crime.

“If you see something, say something,” said the Police Chief. “These people are out to steal your property and if you hear a noise that's unfamiliar to you, contact the police and let us come check it out.”