Catalytic converter thefts surge in New Orleans

FOX 8, By Chris Welty, July 10, 2026

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) — New Orleans police say catalytic converter thefts have increased sharply this year, with thieves targeting Honda and Toyota vehicles across the city.

Ethan Rodriguez, a Mid-City resident, said he heard a scraping noise outside his home and ran out to investigate.

“There was a car pulled up next to my car parked on the street. We ran out. I’m thinking...I thought they had a flat,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said the vehicle sped off before he could intervene. Neighbors told him what had happened.

“They were like hey, is this your car. I was like yeah. They were like they just shoved a piece of machinery up under your car and then ran off,” Rodriguez said.

NOPD data shows sharp increase
The New Orleans Police Department investigated 79 catalytic converter thefts through June 23 of this year. Of those, 23 converters were stolen from Hondas and 22 from Toyotas. The NOPD investigated 10 catalytic converter thefts throughout last year.

Rodriguez said the damage to his vehicle was apparent when he started the car.

“Got in my car, cranked it and sure enough, it sounded like underneath my car a bomb exploded,” Rodriguez said.

He said the wrecker service that towed his vehicle towed two other cars the same day for catalytic converter theft. When Rodriguez filed a police report, an officer told him the thefts had reached epidemic levels, with thieves specifically targeting Hondas and Toyotas.

Why certain vehicles are targeted
John Romaire, owner of Lucky’s Express Car Care in Harvey, said he believes Honda and Toyota converters may contain higher concentrations of valuable metals.

“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,” Romaire said.

Romaire said the theft itself requires minimal equipment and can be completed quickly.

“All they need is a reciprocating saw with a metal blade. They can cut it here, here, same thing on the back and within five minutes, they have four converters,” Romaire said.

Romaire said thieves can profit significantly while causing thousands of dollars in damage to vehicle owners.

“Thieves are getting anywhere from 25 dollars to 300 dollars per converter. You can get three to four in five minutes. You do that all day for one day and you’ve got a good payday,” Romaire said.

Victim moves vehicle off New Orleans streets
Rodriguez said he no longer feels safe leaving his Honda parked on New Orleans streets. He moved the vehicle to his parents’ home on the North Shore to prevent thieves from returning.

Mechanics recommend parking in a secure garage or well-lit areas to deter catalytic converter theft.

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