New Orleans drivers are getting an unwelcome surprise this year as catalytic converter thieves rip through neighborhoods, leaving cars stranded and repair tabs that can climb into the thousands.
The New Orleans Police Department has investigated 79 catalytic converter thefts through June 23, a steep jump from just 10 for all of last year, with Hondas and Toyotas hit hardest, according to FOX 8. That spike has some owners staring at huge repair bills and at least one Mid-City driver so rattled he moved his car off city streets entirely.
"The only thing I can see is maybe the Hondas and Toyotas have a higher level of the platinum, the palladium and the rhodium in them," Lucky’s Express Car Care owner John Romaire told FOX 8. He said crews with a reciprocating saw can slice off several converters in about five minutes. Thieves then flip them to buyers for roughly $25–$300 each, while victims are left to cover expensive exhaust and undercarriage repairs. One driver, Ethan Rodriguez, said he ended up moving his Honda to his parents’ home on the North Shore after his converter was taken.
National trend behind the thefts
The local surge is part of a nationwide problem. CARFAX estimates more than 137,000 catalytic converters were stolen in 2025, a jump tied to rising precious-metal prices that make the units lucrative on the resale market, according to a press release from CARFAX. The company also publishes lists of the most targeted models, which help explain why thieves zero in on certain makes and years.
How drivers can reduce risk
Mechanics and national crime-prevention groups say there are a few relatively simple ways to make your car less tempting. Park in a locked garage when you can, or at least under bright lights. Have the vehicle identification number etched on the converter, and consider installing a shield or clamp that makes it harder and noisier to remove, NICB says. The National Insurance Crime Bureau has also organized VIN-etching and spray-paint events and urges anyone hit by a theft to report it to both police and their insurer. These relatively low-cost steps will not make a car theft-proof, but they can push thieves to move on to an easier target.
Legal consequences in Louisiana
Louisiana law treats the theft of a catalytic converter or engine control module as a felony with penalties that escalate with the value of the loss and damage. At higher loss levels, offenders can face up to 20 years at hard labor along with substantial fines. The statute is detailed in Louisiana Revised Statutes §14:67.12.
For now, New Orleans drivers say they are watching their blocks a little more closely and taking extra precautions while police investigate. Anyone who suspects their converter was stolen should file a police report and contact their insurer to check comprehensive coverage, since replacement and related repairs can quickly top a thousand dollars.
