A couple years ago, a Washoe County Sheriff's Office program was implemented. It's designed to prevent thieves from stealing catalytic converters off of cars and has been quite successful.
Catalytic converters contain three different precious metals, which is why they are so valuable.Â
The program basically stencils the VIN onto the catalytic converter, so it is identifiable to the vehicle.
Right before the program started in 2021, the sheriff's office says it received reports of over 600 catalytic converter thefts.
As of last year, they're down to just over 100.
Sergeant Butler with the Washoe County Sheriff's Office says stealing a catalytic converter only takes about three to five minutes with a couple of tools.
The vehicles at the highest risk are ones that are higher off the ground because it's easy access.
Also, fuel efficient cars are more susceptible due to the high number of precious metals in the converter.
The Washoe County Sheriff's Office partnered with 15 local auto shops that will complete this process for free.
But if you want to do it yourself, it's pretty easy.
You just have to get under the car with some heat resistant spray paint.
The catalytic converter will be somewhere under the car depending on the vehicle.
You're going to want to place your hand near the converter to see if it's hot because if it is hot, the stencil will not stick, and you won't be able to spray paint it.
When you peel off the sticker, you're going to want to do it carefully and stick it near the middle of the catalytic converter.
After it is on, spray paint the whole area around it and let that dry.
Once you put the stencil on, you should leave it on because the heat from the catalytic converter is going to melt the stencil, leaving only the VIN.
If your catalytic converter is stolen, having the VIN on it creates the possibility for it to be traced back to you.
This makes it easier for the police to help you out.
