2013 Theft Report
Nearly $300 million worth of construction and other heavy equipment was stolen in 2013 with only 21 percent of it recovered. The states with the highest volume of construction and agriculture have the largest number of thefts because that’s where the most equipment is lying around. (more…)
Air Conditioning Theft
Air Conditioning Theft | The demand for copper is creating an increase in copper-theft crimes. Theft of air conditioning units has become increasingly popular and is on the rise because of the copper and aluminum contained within them. There’s number one and number two copper, a lot of copper on our air conditioners is number one copper and the ac units will be taken to a local scrapping company. (more…)
Catalytic Converter Theft
Catalytic converters are valuable to scrap metal dealers, in part, because they contain precious metals.
A converter is an emissions control device that has precious metals — platinum, palladium, rhodium — that act as catalysts. Platinum is often used as the catalyst for the converter, which reduces nitrogen oxides to nitrogen and oxygen, and oxidizes carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and unburned hydrocarbons to carbon dioxide and water.