With a recent uptick in the theft of catalytic converters in West Covina and San Gabriel Valley, some MECA car owners may worry about the safety of their vehicles. 

Recently, Senior Noah Gonzalez’s grandfather’s catalytic converter was stolen from his truck. 

“Catalytic Converters are in demand,” Gonzalez explained.  

The reason for this demand is due to a vicious cycle; many people are getting them stolen, so they have to buy a replacement, and they choose to buy one from somewhere cheaper, even if it is illegal.

“It’s kind of maybe been a trend, but not as blown up by the media and everything,” physical education teacher Matt Johnson says. 

Johnson feels that the vast media coverage that is now available makes it easier to hear about these robberies, as compared to years ago when there wasn’t as much accessible news. 

However, most people are not living in fear that their catalytic converters will be stolen. 

“My cat’s attached to my downpipe, they wouldn’t be able to take it off,” laughed senior Gabriel Metzgar.

Similarly, Johnson says that people would not be able to access his catalytic converter as his Hyundai Elantra is close to the ground. 

“In order to get to the catalytic converter, you have to be able to get underneath the car,” he states.

This is why some car brands have been singled out. 

“It’s targeted to certain cars for sure, like Toyotas and Kias,”  Senior Alonzo Galindo explains.

However, this does not concern him.

He feels, “If it happens, it just sucks, I’ll get it replaced.”

Stealing catalytic converters has become so popular because it is a quick turnaround. 

Galindo states, “People steal it because it’s worth a lot of money… They just put it on Facebook Marketplace.”

Likewise, Metzgar shares that stealing catalytic converters is, “Easy money […] You could knock out a whole street one day. 

Johnson explains, “If you can access it, it’s not a difficult thing to remove.”

It is much cheaper to buy one on a platform like Facebook Marketplace rather than going to a car dealership. This is why there is a domino effect to keep buying them illegally because people can’t afford a new one after theirs is stolen.

Johnson expresses, “The dollar is not worth nearly as much as it used to be. When people are struggling to pay for things, this is an easy way to make a couple hundred bucks or so.”

While it would be an unfortunate thing to have your catalytic converter stolen, cars can still run without it. 

“Your car will run fine without it, but in order to legally drive, you need to pass [an] emissions test,” Gonzalez said.

Californians must pass emissions tests if their car is a 1976 model or newer. A catalytic converter is necessary for this test.

“You will not pass your smog because you do not have a catalytic converter unless your car is old enough to where it’s exempt or your car just didn’t come with one stock because of how old it is,” Gonzalez expands.

On a more positive note, both Gonzalez’s truck and Metzgar’s car are safe and sound. However, outside of school, the danger is ever-present. Hopefully, thieves in the area will listen to Johnson who urges them to “Stop breaking the law!”