'Our No. 1 problem': Businesses, individuals reeling from catalytic converter thefts [Akron Beacon Journal]

Adam Huff knows a bit about catalytic converter theft — and it's a lot more than he ever wanted to find out.

As president of the Fred Martin Autogroup, Huff has had to replace more than 20 converters this year cut off by thieves eager to make a quick buck.

An exhausting blow to the budget: Catalytic converter thefts increase in Akron area

It's a problem that plagues businesses and individual car owners across the country and one that's been getting worse in Ohio and Summit County.

State Farm reported in July that U.S. insurance claims for stolen converters grew about 300% from July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021, up from 4,500 in the prior 12-month period to 18,000.

And that's a count of just the vehicle owners who make claims. Many don't because they don't want their insurance premiums to rise.

Most converters cost around $1,000, but some, like those on a Dodge Ram 2500 can run about $3,500. It's not a cheap fix, and for an individual the replacement costs can be financially devastating.

For a business like Fred Martin, Huff said, the crime is a burdensome cost and the perpetrators are rarely caught or punished.

"It's our No. 1 problem," Huff said Wednesday. "There's no greater problem from the standpoint [of] a loss."

The thefts at Fred Martin came despite 200 security cameras covering three lots on Barber Road, where some properties of the Norton company reach into Barberton. But it wasn't enough, and Huff recently hired a security company to provide nighttime patrols.

"There's just no bite in the law that stops or prohibits this behavior," Huff said.

That's why he is supporting a local effort to increase penalties being pushed by Barberton Councilman Shaun "Rocky" Jaber.

"We're hoping that if Barberton moves forward, [Norton] can copy it," Huff said.

On Monday, Barberton City Council discussed a proposal by Jaber to increase fines and suspend the driving licenses of catalytic converter thieves. He's hoping legislation will be introduced at the next meeting on Monday.

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Jaber, who operates Rocky's Gas in the city, said more and more customers have been complaining about the issue. They've been hit or they know someone who has, he said.

It's an issue also experienced by Ohio House Rep. Bob Young, R-Green, who is the primary sponsor of Ohio House Bill 408. The legislation would implement new requirements for businesses and individuals that purchase scrap converters, including proof of ownership and a photograph of the seller. The first violation would incur a $10,000 fine.

"We need to stop the people that are buying these things from buying them," Young said.

Young said he's seen first-hand the work of catalytic converter thieves at his business, Young's Auction Center.

"I've had [several] of these stolen off vehicles in my parking lot," Young said.

His brother recently encountered a thief in the act while on his way to church, Young said.

"It's 9:30 Sunday morning, and a guy is lying on the ground getting ready to cut off the catalytic converter," Young said.

When the would-be thief saw his brother, he jumped out and sped off.

The incident highlights the brazenness of some converter thieves, with daytime thefts and attacks on well-secured lots on the rise. Converters are increasingly stolen from lots with camera security and from random cars parked on well-lit streets.

The converters are valued for the precious metals inside, including rhodium, which was priced at nearly $11,000 an ounce on Friday. Platinum ($1,064 an ounce) and palladium ($2,043 an ounce) are also used.

More: Catalytic converters stolen from facility used by Akron police

Early last month, catalytic converters on seven vehicles parked at an Akron Police Department facility were stolen despite the presence of law enforcement officers nearby. The perpetrator cut through a fence to get to the vehicles, none of which were police cruisers.

Huff said he was aware of thefts this week in Coventry Township.

In Barberton, Jaber said the city's Parks Department and impound lot have been hit recently, along with businesses and individuals.

"They're doing it in broad daylight, sometimes," he said.

Jaber said council recently passed an ordinance increasing fines on land owners who don't maintain their property, and he thinks a similar approach could make catalytic converter theft less appealing.

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"We did it for the yards," he said. "How do we know this won't work? Let's try it."

Mike Cowans, owner of Big Mike's Automotive, said he's installing a fence around his property to combat the thefts. Cameras at the business caught a thief in action, but the images weren't clear enough to be of much use, he said.

"We've had a couple that we've had to replace," he said. "[You] take a look underneath and you see the converter's gone. That's an expense on us."

After a recent expansion at his business, the $15,000 fence is an unwelcome expense, he said.

"We are going to get the fence, make sure all the gaps are tied off, and get a couple of dogs," Cowans said.

Like other business owners, Cowans didn't report the thefts on his insurance to avoid premium increases. He agrees with Huff that a tougher approach like Jaber is proposing is needed in Barberton.

"I think it's good what he's trying to do right now," Cowans said. "How hasn't it been fixed already?"

Jaber said he's communicated with Barberton Councilwoman Carla Debevec about the issue, and she has been receptive. He's hoping she will present an ordinance in the council's Public Welfare & Safety Committee as early as Monday.

At the state level, Young said his proposed legislation has gained the support of several trade and professional organizations, including the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police and the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association. His bill lists 21 co-sponsors and has gained support from lawmakers on the other side of the political aisle, including Rep. Casey Weinstein, D-Hudson.

"It's nice to have him on board, too," Young said.

Young said he recently spoke with a representative of U-Haul's Ohio operations who told him the company has had 1,000 catalytic converters thefts in the state this year. The vehicle rental company now stamps U-Haul on all its converters in the hope it will suppress the thefts, Young said.

"I would, frankly, like to kill the market on these. I would like to kill the sale of these things," he said. "I can say it hurts — it hurts that guy that's driving a $2,500 car..."

Huff said that as long as the problem lingers, vehicle owners can take some proactive measures. He suggests parking your vehicle in a well-lit area, for one. A dashcam can sometimes catch a thief in the act.

For those in higher-risk areas, people might want to consider a catalytic converter shield, which costs about $200.

"We need to deal with the problem [and] increase the penalties," Huff said. "Give it teeth. Hold people accountable for this. Businesses are hurt and consumers are hurt — let's deal with it."

Leave a message for Alan Ashworth at 330-996-3859 or email him at aashworth@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @newsalanbeaconj.

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