Catalytic converter theft

cadaliac · 13-11-2019 2:38pm

FionnK86 wrote: »

I've received pulse number but garda said she wouldn't have time to check cctv, going to write letter to superintendent to request they check cctv as gym said they wouldn't release footage to me.

Would you think sending via registered post would be inviting trouble? I want proof he's received it as I've already been dealing with garda 4 times and each time they act as if this is the first time Ive reported it, taking my details etc.

Not at all, register the post. Its the only way you will have credibility when you take this further.
Cops won't (don't) give a toss unless they are made to.

FionnK86 · 13-11-2019 2:40pm

cadaliac wrote: »

Not at all, register the post. Its the only way you will have credibility when you take this further.
Cops won't (don't) give a toss unless they are made to.

I wrote letter and just before posting, said I’d ring the victim services hotline. Lady on phone checked pulse and said garda dealing with case had rang gym on Sunday (when hours are reduced) and hadn’t got a reply.

She’s going to ask guard what’s the story and to update. If I hear nothing by Friday I’ll post the letter with this new information.

Ticking and Bashing · 17-08-2020 11:12pm

I saw a theft of a Cat Convtr today. Heard a noise outside and looked out to see a car parked outside jacked up, a man underneath slides out with a grinder in his hand and the cat converter in his other hand and off he goes. Literally 30secs, with no time for me to react. 11am in a busy residential spot. I assumed that newer cars / Toyota hybrids were the main targets but this car was 15 years old. Would people still target older cars?

punisher5112 · 17-08-2020 11:14pm

Ticking and Bashing wrote: »

I saw a theft of a Cat Convtr today. Heard a noise outside and looked out to see a car parked outside jacked up, a man underneath slides out with a grinder in his hand and the cat converter in his other hand and off he goes. Literally 30secs, with no time for me to react. 11am in a busy residential spot. I assumed that newer cars / Toyota hybrids were the main targets but this car was 15 years old. Would people still target older cars?

Yes

FionnK86 · 17-08-2020 11:17pm

Yes my car (01 Yaris) was target 10/19 and it's a lot of older yaris' are targeted as the cat's right at front and very accessible.

mojesius · 18-08-2020 7:18am

Same with my mam's 05 Yaris. We couldn't figure out why they stole the oldest car in the driveway and gardai said it was for the catalytic converter.

Atlantic Dawn · 17-11-2020 12:35am

Some progress...

GARDAI uncovered a puppy farm in raids targeting a robbery gang who are on a rampage stealing car parts.

The Irish Sun can reveal that cops made the discovery in Baldoyle, north Dublin on Monday morning, the base of a traveller mob who are on a blitz stealing catalytic converters.

https://www.thesun.ie/news/6159806/gardai-seize-32-dogs-cars-robbery-gang-baldoyle/

Hotblack Desiato · 17-11-2020 4:55pm

So they were looking for cats and found dogs!

Padre_Pio · 17-11-2020 5:20pm

Hotblack Desiato wrote: »

So they were looking for cats and found dogs!

Comment of the week right here!

:D:D

pm1977x · 19-11-2020 8:17pm

Toyota are now fitting anti-theft caps to cat bolts during service to slow the thieves, better than nothing I suppose.

punisher5112 · 19-11-2020 8:21pm

pm1977x wrote: »

Toyota are now fitting anti-theft caps to cat bolts during service to slow the thieves, better than nothing I suppose.

They use angle grinders, they'll destroy the whole car to get them....

Best thing is for politicians to up their game and actually put in stronger laws and come down hard on scrap dealers etc....

NBar · 19-11-2020 9:10pm

punisher5112 wrote: »

They use angle grinders, they'll destroy the whole car to get them....

Best thing is for politicians to up their game and actually put in stronger laws and come down hard on scrap dealers etc....

just going to end up leaving the country in containers full of scrap to conceal them

Atlantic Dawn · 22-11-2020 6:04pm

Spotted a Prius parked up last night and the driver had a big sign on the drivers window "Catalyst Is Gone", things have got that bad.

FionnK86 · 22-11-2020 6:06pm

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Spotted a Prius parked up last night and the driver had a big sign on the drivers window "Catalyst Is Gone", things have got that bad.

They’ll still look under. They can’t read.

Atlantic Dawn · 22-11-2020 6:08pm

FionnK86 wrote: »

They’ll still look under. They can’t read.

They need to put it in the Cant language too :pac:

punisher5112 · 24-11-2020 12:15pm

It's part of the culture boss....

NBar · 25-11-2020 4:13pm

Toyota Ireland don't respond to emails, friends car was a victim and its a 3 week wait and wanted to find out are Toyota Irl offering any security devices to prevent future thefts like in UK who offer the CATLOC

kirving · 25-11-2020 4:46pm

There could be a simple but illegal software fix for this...

Car alarm recognises the tilt sensor activated.
Start engine.
Select reverse gear.
Drive backward 30cm (just enough to knock the car off the jack)
Power off.

NBar · 25-11-2020 5:05pm

Kevin Irving wrote: »

There could be a simple but illegal software fix for this...

Car alarm recognises the tilt sensor activated.
Start engine.
Select reverse gear.
Drive backward 30cm (just enough to knock the car off the jack)
Power off.

Rather the battery was connected to the cat and as soon as car lifted it sends current to it and the bas****s get a couple of volts sent through them

spiggotpaddy · 25-11-2020 5:11pm

NBar wrote: »

Rather the battery was connected to the cat and as soon as car lifted it sends current to it and the bas****s get a couple of volts sent through them

Via the HT coils.

selectamatic · 25-11-2020 7:43pm

NBar wrote: »

Toyota Ireland don't respond to emails, friends car was a victim and its a 3 week wait and wanted to find out are Toyota Irl offering any security devices to prevent future thefts like in UK who offer the CATLOC

Anything like that would be a waste of money imo.

Get the exhaust setup so that you can bolt in a decat section for every day driving and then bolt the cat in for the test. Only real cost effective solution.

Not really worth the hassle unless you live in an urban area where these thefts are more common though.

NBar · 25-11-2020 7:54pm

selectamatic wrote: »

Anything like that would be a waste of money imo.

Get the exhaust setup so that you can bolt in a decat section for every day driving and then bolt the cat in for the test. Only real cost effective solution.

Not really worth the hassle unless you live in an urban area where these thefts are more common though.

Don't think a decat section is an option for her and then have Toyota use it if any engine/hybrid issues arise. I'll see what I can get her to cover the underneath of the exhaust system

colm_mcm · 25-11-2020 8:18pm

The don’t even test emissions on hybrids.

LimerickCity · 04-01-2021 1:56pm

NBar wrote: »

Toyota Ireland don't respond to emails, friends car was a victim and its a 3 week wait and wanted to find out are Toyota Irl offering any security devices to prevent future thefts like in UK who offer the CATLOC

Cat was cut out of our 2nd Gen on the drive in front of our house back in October. They were seen on CCTV and had it removed in 4 minutes. They used an angle grinder which woke my neighbor who shouted out to them and disturbed them but it was too late.

The Toyota Ireland response is to report the crime to the Gardai and contact your local dealer. I reported the theft to the Gardai who advised that they had investigated 14 seperate thefts in the previous 2 weeks.

I got the cat replaced privately and traded in the car for a 3rd gen. Contacted a few local dealers and was informed that Toyota Ireland do not offer the CATLOC. They will fit a tilt alarm and cover the nuts with a protective cover for €325.

I don't know if this €325 includes labour. If it does then that really boils my blood as I would imagine that Toyota should fit this for free as a goodwill gesture due to poor design.

I got the 2nd gen cat replaced out of my own pocket as going through insurance would probably have cost more in the long run.

As an FYI i know that Toyota dealers in the north will fit the CATLOCK on an Irish Prius/Auris for the £250 as advised on Toyota UK.

corks finest · 04-01-2021 2:30pm

LimerickCity wrote: »

Cat was cut out of our 2nd Gen on the drive in front of our house back in October. They were seen on CCTV and had it removed in 4 minutes. They used an angle grinder which woke my neighbor who shouted out to them and disturbed them but it was too late.

The Toyota Ireland response is to report the crime to the Gardai and contact your local dealer. I reported the theft to the Gardai who advised that they had investigated 14 seperate thefts in the previous 2 weeks.

I got the cat replaced privately and traded in the car for a 3rd gen. Contacted a few local dealers and was informed that Toyota Ireland do not offer the CATLOC. They will fit a tilt alarm and cover the nuts with a protective cover for €325.

I don't know if this €325 includes labour. If it does then that really boils my blood as I would imagine that Toyota should fit this for free as a goodwill gesture due to poor design.

I got the 2nd gen cat replaced out of my own pocket as going through insurance would probably have cost more in the long run.

As an FYI i know that Toyota dealers in the north will fit the CATLOCK on an Irish Prius/Auris for the £250 as advised on Toyota UK.

Lads bit of information Pls, if anyone knows.
I've a 2012 Honda insight hybrid, does anyone know if these models are also being targeted?
Or I'd it only newer model Toyota hybrids?
Thank you
P. S. I've not heard of my model being robbed but nevertheless I'd like to know.

Padre_Pio · 04-01-2021 2:42pm

LimerickCity wrote: »

I don't know if this €325 includes labour. If it does then that really boils my blood as I would imagine that Toyota should fit this for free as a goodwill gesture due to poor design.

Does CAT theft happen all over the world, or just Ireland or what's the story?
Wonder if they even considered theft when they designed it.

EDIT: Never mind, found my answer: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/thefts-of-catalytic-converters-from-cars-have-gone-mad-says-garda-source-1.3990025

Toyota Ireland said it was a “worldwide industry issue” affecting all car brands, but is “particularly affecting older Prius, due to its high-quality catalytic converters”.

Design changes in more recent models have made it “not possible” to steal the devices, a spokeswoman said.

Mercedes said there was “a slight increase in the number of thefts of catalytic converters” from its models two years ago, but they have since “dissipated to a negligible level”, according to its dealer network in Ireland.

Kia said it was it was unaware of “any reports of such thefts from our dealer network”.

mickuhaha · 04-01-2021 2:47pm

If anyone has one of these cars being targeted. Put a sticker on your car saying cat blocker installed on all sides until you can get a cover installed.

LimerickCity · 04-01-2021 3:22pm

corks finest wrote: »

Lads bit of information Pls, if anyone knows.
I've a 2012 Honda insight hybrid, does anyone know if these models are also being targeted?
Or I'd it only newer model Toyota hybrids?
Thank you
P. S. I've not heard of my model being robbed but nevertheless I'd like to know.

Our 2nd Gen Prius was 09. I have not heard of any Insights being targets but would not rule it out. Of the 14 the Gardai advised they were dealing with all were 2nd Gen Prius.

LimerickCity · 04-01-2021 3:26pm

Padre_Pio wrote: »

Does CAT theft happen all over the world, or just Ireland or what's the story?
Wonder if they even considered theft when they designed it.

EDIT: Never mind, found my answer: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/thefts-of-catalytic-converters-from-cars-have-gone-mad-says-garda-source-1.3990025

The 2nd gen has a really poor design making it simple to cut out the cat.

hpim4465-jpg.19474

The 3rd gen is slightly more difficult as it is partially covered.

On newer models Toyota it is also partially hidden and according to Toyota UK they have reduced the amount of precious metals in the CAT by 84%.

It is such an issue in the UK that Toyota are fitting the CATLOC to 2nd and 3rd gen at cost and do not charge for labour.

Toyota Ireland do not offer this service.

corks finest · 04-01-2021 4:17pm

LimerickCity wrote: »

Our 2nd Gen Prius was 09. I have not heard of any Insights being targets but would not rule it out. Of the 14 the Gardai advised they were dealing with all were 2nd Gen Prius.

Many thanks for this, googled but no specific information, ffs and I was hoping to upgrade to a Prius next year

LimerickCity · 04-01-2021 4:28pm

corks finest wrote: »

Many thanks for this, googled but no specific information, ffs and I was hoping to upgrade to a Prius next year

Anyone I know of in Limerick who has a 2nd gen has had it either stolen or had an attempt on it. The 3rd gen is far less common in Ireland but they are being stolen. In fairness ours was stolen outside the house. Had there been a tilt alarm installed it would definitely have woken us up and disturbed them.

Speaking with a local Toyota dealer as soon as the car is jacked up the alarm will sound which should in theory help the thieves disperse. €325 for a tilt alarm is in my opinion expensive though but as per my original post I am not sure if they are charging labour for this. Surely Toyota should not be making money off a design flaw in which it makes it easy to remove the cat. I wouldn't be surprised though.

There is also a plate which you can buy on ebay to cover the cat. They seem to be a popular purchase especially among taxi drivers.

I am currently on my 3rd Prius and would highly recommend them only for the cat issue and level of support from Toyota Ireland.

elperello · 04-01-2021 10:13pm

LIGHTNING wrote: »

Of course they dont. Another case where the Irish car consumer gets stuffed

You are at a significant disadvantage buying a Toyota in Ireland, the warranty is 3 years as against 5 years in UK.

Caveat emptor.

corks finest · 04-01-2021 10:40pm

elperello wrote: »

You are at a significant disadvantage buying a Toyota in Ireland, the warranty is 3 years as against 5 years in UK.

Caveat emptor.

Rip off Ireland

zilog_jones · 06-01-2021 11:43am

corks finest wrote: »

Lads bit of information Pls, if anyone knows.
I've a 2012 Honda insight hybrid, does anyone know if these models are also being targeted?
Or I'd it only newer model Toyota hybrids?
Thank you
P. S. I've not heard of my model being robbed but nevertheless I'd like to know.

The problem is not unique to hybrids in any way, it's all about easy access to the cat and the quality (rare metals), and the Gen 2 Prius (2003-2009) is a popular target because of that.

I've heard of thefts with the Jazz/Fit and CR-V but not the Insight.

corks finest · 06-01-2021 11:48am

zilog_jones wrote: »

The problem is not unique to hybrids in any way, it's all about easy access to the cat and the quality (rare metals), and the Gen 2 Prius (2003-2009) is a popular target because of that.

I've heard of thefts with the Jazz/Fit and CR-V but not the Insight.

Thanks jazz etc are that bit higher off the ground that maybe a factor, though from what I read some of the whures use Jack's

Padre_Pio · 06-01-2021 11:58am

zilog_jones wrote: »

The problem is not unique to hybrids in any way, it's all about easy access to the cat and the quality (rare metals), and the Gen 2 Prius (2003-2009) is a popular target because of that.

I've heard of thefts with the Jazz/Fit and CR-V but not the Insight.

Why higher quality metal in a hybrid?

Engine is running colder due to stop start, or they want to meet some emission criteria?

zilog_jones · 06-01-2021 3:45pm

Padre_Pio wrote: »

Why higher quality metal in a hybrid?

Higher quality metal in a Toyota

1st generation Yaris is also a target, there are no hybrids.

Seth Brundle · 06-01-2021 7:44pm

Alleged theft of a CC filmed in Leixlip yesterday (I would presume gardai can find them based on the reg 08DL12356)...

https://twitter.com/_KellyCampbell/status/1346600098994728971?s=19

corks finest · 06-01-2021 7:56pm

Seth Brundle wrote: »

Alleged theft of a CC filmed in Leixlip yesterday (I would presume gardai can find them based on the reg 08DL12356)...

https://twitter.com/_KellyCampbell/status/1346600098994728971?s=19

Disgusting if genuine

Atlantic Dawn · 06-01-2021 8:04pm

Seth Brundle wrote: »

Alleged theft of a CC filmed in Leixlip yesterday (I would presume gardai can find them based on the reg 08DL12356)...

https://twitter.com/_KellyCampbell/status/1346600098994728971?s=19

Car looks legit or cloned from legit, has valid NCT and tax is valid until end of next month, no ownership changes in the last 3 months. Hopefully they are caught, scummers, would have been satisfying for the car to come down on top of him and them to need medical assistance.

Atlantic Dawn · 06-01-2021 8:23pm

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Car looks legit or cloned from legit, has valid NCT and tax is valid until end of next month, no ownership changes in the last 3 months. Hopefully they are caught, scummers, would have been satisfying for the car to come down on top of him and them to need medical assistance.

I should have got a job with the boys in blue, it's a cloned plate, some poor punter with his car on Donedeal might get a knock on the door, defo not the same car, it's an S Line in the ad, poverty spec on the thieves....
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-a4-2-0tdi-s-line-ncttax/26868076

A good example of why not to put your plate on Donedeal.

corks finest · 06-01-2021 8:28pm

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

I should have got a job with the boys in blue, it's a cloned plate, some poor punter with his car on Donedeal might get a knock on the door, defo not the same car, it's an S Line in the ad, poverty spec on the thieves....
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-a4-2-0tdi-s-line-ncttax/26868076

A good example of why not to put your plate on Donedeal.

Thought twas stolen

punisher5112 · 06-01-2021 8:31pm

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

I should have got a job with the boys in blue, it's a cloned plate, some poor punter with his car on Donedeal might get a knock on the door, defo not the same car, it's an S Line in the ad, poverty spec on the thieves....
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/audi-a4-2-0tdi-s-line-ncttax/26868076

A good example of why not to put your plate on Donedeal.

Not hard to notice totally different cars as one that's in robbery is older model, totally different car.

alias no.9 · 06-01-2021 9:32pm

zilog_jones wrote: »

Higher quality metal in a Toyota
1st generation Yaris is also a target, there are no hybrids.

Yaris and Prius share a platform, probaby a case of transferable skills, not quite as valuable but lots more of them.

CharlieHaghy · 09-01-2021 12:10am

Was over in Birmingham there for a few days and theft of cats and old land rovers is more rampant than corona.

Hector Savage · 11-01-2021 3:34pm

CharlieHaghy wrote: »

Was over in Birmingham there for a few days and theft of cats and old land rovers is more rampant than corona.

why old land rovers ?

11-01-2021 3:57pm

Hector Savage wrote: »

why old land rovers ?

probably dont need to jack them?

zilog_jones · 11-01-2021 4:04pm

alias no.9 wrote: »

Yaris and Prius share a platform, probaby a case of transferable skills, not quite as valuable but lots more of them.

1st gen Yaris and 2nd gen Prius don't share any platform...

ebbsy · 13-01-2021 12:18am

Avoid Luas Red Cow car park.

Somebody partially sliced off one end underneath my CRV, but must have been disturbed.

corks finest · 13-01-2021 1:08am

ebbsy wrote: »

Avoid Luas Red Cow car park.

Somebody partially sliced off one end underneath my CRV, but must have been disturbed.

Bastards

Catalytic converter theft

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