Tow Vehicle Security Issue

[MOBass]

I apologize if this is a bit off topic, but with spring coming up and folks heading to the lake I wanted to relate a recent rash of thefts that truck and SUV owners need to be aware of.

Two vehicles at my office had the catalytic converts stolen while sitting in the parking lot in as many days. There were a few others in the immediate area that were hit also. I did some research and this theft has become common as tweakers (drug addicts) look for easy cash. Most of the catalytic converts are being stolen from import light trucks and SUVs.

It wouldn't take much imagination to figure out that a parking lot full of tow vehicles at any of our public ramps would make an easy score for these scum bags. I'll be etching my license plate number on mine to at least make it possible to identify if the police do recover it. There is also a security system available that would make it tougher than a quik saw zaw job and I am checking prices on that. Other than that I am going to keep a weather eye open and report anything that is suspicous no matter how mundane it seems.

Hopefully this will save someone a little grief this spring.

[strangercreek]

Sad...

to bad there isn't a way to make the converter stay blazin' hot all the time (just the converter itself )

[Snow Fly]

Started in St. Louis about two years ago. The way the story goes there are small amount of precious metals in the catalytic converters. One of the stories that hit the newspapers was a women who left her car in a park and ride and when she started the car to head home from work, she heard this loud noise coming from what she thought was the muffler. Took it to the shop and found out the bad news in the amount of $1000 dollars Catalytic Converter missing. With her deductible it cost her $ 500 out of her pocket. Got the car back two later went to work parked in same lot, return and guess what? Stolen again which = another $500 out of pocket.

[flyfshn]

a little different, but same theme....I am a Real Estate and Construction Manager for a telecom company and they cut through the fence and steal ground bars and power lines running from the meter to our shelters all the time! Doesn't matter where it is or the fact that they could be killed....pretty sad!

[Daddy Carp]

PLANT IT, WATCH IT SHOOT UM. IF NO ONE CAN SEE OR HEAR A darn SAW-SAW, YOUR OFF SCOTT FREE!

[Trav]

Had an Uncle and a bunch of his buds that were all Truckers having probs of thieves taking stuff out of thier Cabs in the 70s. Stealing fuzz busters and CBs mostly.

They started riding with little viscous dogs. A couple even went as far as to go exotic and get pet bobcats and lynx. I have even heard tales of guys hiring Lot Lizards(prostitutes) to watch the rigs while they ate or showered.

Another story I heard is of a thief that got caught trying to break in a truck. The trucker bungy-corded the thief to his load of steal and cut him loose 2 1/2 days later, 2000 miles away, and with an arse beating of his life.

Long way to be tied up exposed to weather without food or drink. Yet alone no bathroom stops.

Haha. I bet the trucker took his load to the truck wash before delivering it.