A few months ago, I posted this blog entry about catalytic converter theft. Moose, my beloved 1994 Toyota 4Runner, was victimized one night while sitting innocently in front of my house in North Hollywood, California. After a $1,281 repair bill (which included spot-welding to make the next theft a little more challenging) and a quick garage clean up, Moose is back to normal. He now lives inside the garage, instead of on the street. I feel safer, but at the same time, violated.

Based on the number of comments I've received to my initial blog entry, too many of you have been victimized as well. I've heard some hair raising stories of brazen theft -- at church, at the department store, at park-and-ride lots, from suburban driveways.

What I have not heard is much about police response. My local police department never followed up on my theft, failing to even call me back with a report number as promised. I have to assume that this epidemic continues unabated, and that all of our catalytic converters are still at risk.

Park safely. If you have a garage or a secure lot, use it. When you're in public, park in a prominent spot where anyone crawling around your SUV will be exposed. And if your cat gets stolen, report it to the police right away, and follow up to see if they're investigating. If you've got an engraver kit, engrave your vehicle's VIN on your catalytic converter so that it can be identified if found at a salvage yard.

And please share your stories here -- click on "comments" below to tell your tale, and check out the thread at the original blog post.

Photo © Jason Fogelson