All over the country an old crime has become more and more common, including in Alabama: Catalytic converter thefts.

According to a new study, since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2019, the rate of catalytic converter thefts in the Yellowhammer State has exploded. In just a three-year period the rate of catalytic converter thefts has jumped by 1754.17%.

According to BeenVerified, a public data company, there were 24 thefts in 2019; 85 thefts in 2020; 357 thefts in 2021; and 445 in 2022. Nationally, there were nearly 153,000 reported thefts of catalytic converters last year.

Thieves can make anywhere from $25 to $300 for a standard catalytic converter. Ones from hybrid vehicles can sell for up to $1,400, according to Carfax.

The attraction for the crime arew the precious metals inside acting as the filter – platinum,  palladium and rhodium.

Platinum was selling for $1,012.60 an ounce today or $36.69 a gram. Five years ago, the price was $799.66 an ounce. There are about 3 to 7 grams of platinum in a catalytic converter.

Palladium sold for about $500 an ounce five years ago. This morning, it was trading at $1,432 an ounce or $46.50 per gram; there are between 2-7 grams of palladium in a catalytic converter.

Rhodium sold for $640 an ounce five years ago. Today, it is $7,950 per ounce or $255.60 per gram and there are about 1-2 grams of rhodium in a converter.

The percentage change in thefts year over year for 2019 vs. 2020 was 254.17%. The year over year change in thefts for 2021 vs. 2022 was at a rate of 320.00%.

Another category measured by the data was thefts per 100,000 automobiles. In 2022, that number for Alabama was 22. That ranked Alabama as 50th in the nation for thefts per 100,000 automobiles.

Alabama was officially ranked number 28 in the nation for total catalytic converter thefts.

According to Carfax, the top 10 targeted vehicles in the South are Ford F Series trucks; Mitsubishi Outlander; Honda Accord; Kia Soul; Ford Econoline; Ford Explorer; Chevrolet Silverado; Chevrolet Traverse; Ford Expedition; and Toyota Tacoma.

Authorities say that there are some steps that you can take to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of this crime. First, install a device such as a cage around the converter, then park in a safe place and finally consider engraving your catalytic converter.

Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.