[KOH] An anti-theft program and a new law are combining to reduce the number of catalytic converter thefts in Washoe County. Thieves take the stolen converters to recyclers where the precious metals like platinum, palladium, and rhodium go for big bucks.
But the sheriff’s office began offering free stencils to mark the converter with the vehicle’s identification number, and on October 1st of this year, it became a felony to possess a catalytic converter that does not belong to you. The Sheriff’s office says that thefts have gone from 600 a year to less than half that, and that there are no reports of a painted catalytic converter being stolen locally.

Participating auto shops like A Master Mechanic will paint the stencil on your catalytic converter for free if you don’t want to do it yourself.