Sen. Klobuchar introduces legislation to crack down on catalytic-converter thefts

(KDLM/MNN) – Senator Amy Klobuchar is pushing to stem the tide of catalytic converter thefts that have plagued Minnesota and spread across the nation. Klobuchar’s helped co-write the Preventing Auto Recycling Theft (PART) Act, which would ensure that law enforcement can more effectively address these thefts by marking each converter with a traceable identification number (the VIN number) printed on the side,  and establishing converter thefts as a criminal offense.

“Let’s make this a federal crime, just like we do with carjacking,” says Klobuchar. “Because it is $1,500 to $2,000 to replace these catalytic converters.”

Sen. Ron Wyden (DFL-Oregon) helped co-write the bill.

“The theft of catalytic converters hurts the pocketbooks of working families and small business owners already struggling with rising costs,” Wyden said. “By strengthening local law enforcement’s ability to locate stolen car parts, we will be one step closer in the fight to end catalytic converter theft.”

“Throughout the country, we’ve seen an alarming increase in catalytic converter thefts. These converters can be easily taken from unattended cars but are difficult and expensive for car owners to replace,” said Klobuchar. “By making catalytic converter theft a criminal offense and ensuring each converter can be easily tracked, our legislation would provide law enforcement officers with the tools and resources they need to crack down on these crimes.”