Catalytic Converter Thieves Hitting Lake Area Businesses Again

CAMDEN COUNTY, Mo. — Thieves have stolen the catalytic converter off a Lake area plumbing business's vehicle for the second time, and the owner is urging other local businesses to be vigilant.

Straight Flush Plumbing, who also suffered from a catalytic converter theft in February 2021, says the component was stolen off of their Mercedes van on the night of Sunday, August 21, around midnight. The van was parked at the Straight Flush Plumbing building located at the western edge of Osage Beach, along Highway 54.

Catalytic converters contain valuable metals such as platinum, rhodium and palladium and bring $50–100 from a scrap metal dealer. It can take as little as two minutes for thieves with a battery-powered saw to remove a converter off a vehicle. But for Straight Flush Plumbing, the repairs to replace the now-missing catalytic converter will cost upwards of $1,000. Steve Ryan, of Straight Flush Plumbing, said he hopes this incident results in other local businesses taking precautions to make sure they don't get hit.

Scott Hines, public information officer with the Camden County Sheriff’s Department, says catalytic converter theft is a common crime at Lake of the Ozarks.

“Generally speaking, we see more of this in the fall and in the winter time because folks are out of jobs, they’re not working regularly,” Hines said. “But we see it in the summertime too.”

Vans and trucks that sit high above the ground are some of the most common targets, since it’s easier to access the converter underneath. And businesses that have multiple trucks and vans are especially at risk since it gives thieves an opportunity to steal more converters in a single go. Since the crime is so easy, often the best offense is a good defense.

“If someone wants a catalytic converter, they're going to get it. They just cut it off,” Hines said. “The best suggestion is to try and be defensive,”

Here are some tips to keep your vehicle safe:

• Park in well-lit areas.

• Park inside a garage.

• Park close to building entrances or near a busy road.

• Add video surveillance to the area where you regularly park.

• Install a catalytic converter security device or engrave the car's VIN number into the catalytic converter.