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Justice Department announces takedown of catalytic converter theft ring

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Re: Justice Department announces takedown of catalytic converter theft ring

#91

Post by userbinator »

adrianmonk wrote: post #20
treeman79 wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Only thing that will help is serious prison sentences and the right to defend property with deadly force. Many areas of the country there is no consequences.

Here in Texas, the law does give the right to defend property with deadly force[1]. And lots of people have guns. We are the #1 state on the list of gun ownership[2]. And catalytic converter theft is still very common. We are the #2 state on the list of catalytic converter thefts per 100k automobiles[3]. --- [1] https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PE/htm/PE.9.htm [2] https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/gun-ownership…

I wonder if that's related in any way to it also relatively common to straight-pipe in Texas.

Re: Justice Department announces takedown of catalytic converter theft ring

#92

Post by genmud »

googlryas wrote: post #45
genmud wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think that if you paid for your home with criminal activity you should forfeit that to repay the victims of your crimes. If your legal and illegal stuff is together, tough shit.

I see your point, but imagine a situation where I robbed bank for a million dollars. Should I be able to use that million to pay a really good lawyer to defend me in court? And then after I'm feeling guilty I just throw my hands up and say "well I don't have that million anymore, good luck collecting it from me while I'm in jail." At the very least, I believe the assets would be returned to them if it turns out they…

At the federal level, that’s typically what is done.

Re: Justice Department announces takedown of catalytic converter theft ring

#93

Post by oblib »

oblib wrote: post #29

I think taking down the buyers is a the best tool we have right now for this issue. And there are things we could do to make that easier, like putting a serial number on the converter on new cars and replacement parts. Requiring the make, model, and serial number of the car it was removed from, and a web site with a DB that has the ID number of cars they've been stolen from so buyers could check it. Make those who bu…

You have to license the buyers and make them account for every lb they recycle by having the serial numbers to compare it. They would have to submit those number as soon as the buy one. If the converter doesn't have one they can't buy it, and setting up stings for that would be pretty easy.

Re: Justice Department announces takedown of catalytic converter theft ring

#95

Post by djbusby »

intimidated wrote: post #43
aaomidi wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You know how if you punish a dog, it doesn't really learn and get better? Humans are like that too. Theft is heavily correlated with the economy. Arguably it's a canary in the mine - you can very usually tell what's going to happen in the macroeconomics of an area by just following crime statistics. "Deterrence" has generally been found to be a pretty well-rooted myth. Majority of theft also happens by people who _do…

> "Deterrence" has generally been found to be a pretty well-rooted myth. I'm interested in learning more. Do you have some good resources you could point me to?

Not who you're responding to but for humans there were studies on "positive reinforcement" (praise) vs "negative reinforcement" (punish).

I don't have links to studies handy but those are terms to search around.

Re: Justice Department announces takedown of catalytic converter theft ring

#96

Post by insaneirish »

fswd wrote: post #70
55555 wrote: post #28

I may be misreading this but the margins look insane. DG Auto paid like 38 million USD for stolen converters, performed a simple extraction process, then sold the precious metals for 550 million USD. Wow.

Wow. I googled DG Auto, and they even have an app for thieves to check prices. https://dgauto.app/ Really wish the cops would download a list of who installed this app and find their location data on top of a map of reported thefts...

> Really wish the cops would download a list of who installed this app and find their location data on top of a map of reported thefts...

Uh... So, I too found the website and couldn't believe how brazen the business is. I too was surprised about the app. If I downloaded the app because I was so surprised, should my name be given to the police as part of this investigation?

That's ridiculous.

Re: Justice Department announces takedown of catalytic converter theft ring

#97

Post by friend_and_foe »

shakezula wrote: post #46
treeman79 wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Only thing that will help is serious prison sentences and the right to defend property with deadly force. Many areas of the country there is no consequences.

I’m a gun-owning full pro-2A believer and I absolutely disagree with killing someone over stealing a catalytic converter. For fuck’s sake, prison or murder cannot be the only two options here.

What's being discussed here is not a revenge killing, you catch someone doing it you're probably not going to gun them down, you're more likely to detain, call police and press charges, or chase them off. But if they come at you with their hacksaw...

I think the proper solution to this is that car manufacturers should be required to better secure these things. Putting a thousand dollars or more in such an easy to access place, requiring people to have some of their money sitting there like that, might as well tie a bow around it and set it on the hood.

Re: Justice Department announces takedown of catalytic converter theft ring

#98

Post by bagels »

alhirzel wrote: post #83
ctime wrote: post #49

I’ve armored both of my IC engine vehicles due to the local theft issues which spiked after the pandemic started. Cost about $400 per vehicle (both happen to be the top targets for thieves). I’m hoping it’s saved me the annoyance of having the part stolen, but I’m rather sad to see things degenerate to this level. Glad to see the feds really go after the crooks.

What did you do to protect them, install a plate?

If you do it right, yes, a hardened steel plate.

Re: Justice Department announces takedown of catalytic converter theft ring

#99

Post by oblib »

hotpotamus wrote: post #52
oblib wrote: post #29

I think taking down the buyers is a the best tool we have right now for this issue. And there are things we could do to make that easier, like putting a serial number on the converter on new cars and replacement parts. Requiring the make, model, and serial number of the car it was removed from, and a web site with a DB that has the ID number of cars they've been stolen from so buyers could check it. Make those who bu…

I wonder if the scheme outlined is more or less stringent than the US's legal ability to track guns. For now, they require serial numbers, but my understanding is that the ATF is disallowed from using computers to track firearms. It would be ironic if catalytic converters ended up with stricter controls than guns.

That would be ironic af, but yes, that is basically what I'm suggesting.

Re: Justice Department announces takedown of catalytic converter theft ring

#100

Post by magicalist »

rydifyrhffh wrote: post #54
User23 wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It used to be that back when local cops cared about property crime this was standard operating procedure. When I was a kid if you etched a serial number into your bike frame and parts and registered it with the local PD you were practically assured you’d get your bike back when it inevitably showed up at a pawn shop or similar.

I'm curious where you live that they don't still care tbh. In my experience police do what they're allowed that will be effective. But if you have a DA who refuses to prosecute people or you pass local laws that make doing their job in a manner that gets results impossible then they tend not to waste their time.

If you've never experienced the indifference of a cop taking a property crime report and the complete lack of follow up, just pick a place and you can look at non-violent crime clearance rate.

They really don't care.

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