BajaNomad - Catalyic Converter Stolen

Catalyic Converter Stolen

beachbum1A - 7-12-2007 at 08:11 AM

Surprise, surprise! On the way to do some grocery shopping yesterday at Walmart in Ensenada I thought I'd stop off at the beach just west and a little north of Walmart to see if anyone was surf fishing. Parked on the asphalt road with two or three cars in front of me and walked over the dunes and down to the beach. Looked around for about 5 minutes and walked back to my truck. Got in, started it up and realized something was amiss! Crawled under and found the large catalyic converter missing and the nuts/bolts laying in the roadway. Wasn't even welded on! Just a few bolts to remove and they're on their way. Needless to say after I locate a replacement and have it welded on I'm going to be damn particular as to where I park from now on. (probably should have parked in one of the more popular beach parking areas that had several other vehicles parked there).
If anyone has an extra catalyic converter laying around for a "02" Toyota Tacoma, let me know will you.......

Bajalero - 7-12-2007 at 08:29 AM

Not cheep to replace beachbum

http://tinyurl.com/24bpjt

bajamigo - 7-12-2007 at 08:31 AM

Bummer! I can't understand why anyone in these parts would steal that item, when in the time it took to remove, he could have snagged something more marketable.
Hope you don't have to fork over a lot for a replacement.

Hook - 7-12-2007 at 08:48 AM

Welded on means it will have to be cut off.

Maybe have a muffler shop down there fabricate you a "test pipe" section that bolts on and use it while you're down there, since you appear to spend a bit of time down there.

I read they are being sold for the value of the metals in it now that commodities are so high.

beachbum1A - 7-12-2007 at 08:57 AM

You're right Bajalero-not cheap! Now we know why they took it.

Alarm system for your CAT?

Lee - 7-12-2007 at 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by beachbum1A
You're right Bajalero-not cheap! Now we know why they took it.

No way around it. They could have broken into your Taco at the same time. Hope you have an alarm on your truck? Get one if you don't. Bad omen. Oh and weld the next CAT in place. You shouldn't have to park where you can see your truck but you might want to do that until the ju-ju goes away. It was someone local. By the way, they saw you park there.

:cool:

Talented Thieves

MrBillM - 7-12-2007 at 09:27 AM

It's surprising how good some of these guys are at what they do.

Back in the Bad Old days when I lived and worked in South L.A. (Watts) one of the items in great demand were Borg-Warner T-10 Four Speed Transmissions and, later the Chevy "Muncie" Four-Speed. We frequently had the opportunity to purchase them used. One very prolific supplier told us that he could drop one out of the vehicle in the dark without jacking up the car in less than ten minutes. It might have been just braggadocio, but he WAS successful so it could have been true.

If there is a demand and a financial incentive, someone will find a way.

oldhippie - 7-12-2007 at 09:48 AM

Wonder when gas siphoning is going to be a big problem? It's mighty expensive these days. I once went to a gas station to fill-up the pickup and when I started pumping all the gas went immediately to the ground. Thieves had removed the connecting pipe to the tank to solve the locking gas cap problem and siphoned all the gas, there wasn't much. This was in San Diego BTW.

Roberto - 7-12-2007 at 10:33 AM

Just a few weeks ago, a catalytic converter was stolen from a brand new Toyota right here in the parking lot of the company I work for. When it was reported to the police, my colleague was told that this is quite common. There are folks roaming the streets, and they stop, dive under the car and can get the thing off in minutes.

And yes, they are stolen for the metals.

vandenberg - 7-12-2007 at 11:16 AM

Keep the vehicle in Mexico and you don't have to worry about that converter. :lol:

Taco de Baja - 7-12-2007 at 11:34 AM

Tried to do the same thing to a coworker who lives in Downey, CA a few months ago. He started his Tacoma at 6:00am, started driving, did not sound right, drove around the block back to his house and there in the street were 2 nuts and bolts and a can of WD-40 where he had been parked :wow:

. They may have been under the truck as he drove away; too bad they did not get run over.

I have also heard of them simply using a cordless 18volt Sawzall. Off in less than a minute, welded of not. :no:

DENNIS - 7-12-2007 at 12:19 PM

BB1A ----

Total bummer. What's next? Come out of Home Dpo and your fenders are gone?
Vandenberg said it. Get a beater for local stuff and it probably won't be bothered.
Jeezo.... I can't believe the stealth with which this scum oozes around here and there. Seldom seen, seldom caught. Urban terrorists.

Anyway, on a good note, I see you got your avatar up and running. Very cool.

Amateurs...

Dave - 7-12-2007 at 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
I can't believe the stealth with which this scum oozes around here and there. Seldom seen, seldom caught.

unbolt converters. Professionals... steal trucks.

This guy was just an order taker. The repair shop needed a part and made a call to the inventory department.

You make it sound so sinister . :rolleyes:

DENNIS - 7-12-2007 at 12:51 PM

Dave ......

It is sinister. It's evil and in this case, it's also racist. Do you think for a minute that they would have gone after a Mexico plated car for a catalytic converter?

OK. Enough of that. Are you done lounging around, doing nothing, loafing your life away? When do we get Pastrami sandwiches? And where?

Car Parts Thieves

MrBillM - 7-12-2007 at 01:06 PM

I'm looking for one of those crooked Mechanics I keep reading about who can steal your Airbag without leaving a trace. I'm ready to give them some business. I'd love to eliminate those timebombs.

Thieves know Gringoes are insured and if not, have money

Lee - 7-12-2007 at 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
Dave ......

It is sinister. It's evil and in this case, it's also racist. Do you think for a minute that they would have gone after a Mexico plated car for a catalytic converter?

You know, these guys would just shrug if caught. Hey, no one got hurt? Could have stole the truck but left it, OK?

There must be places like this in MX. Got to know San Jose, Costa Rica well years ago. People in the suburbs NEVER leave their home with no one home. The first time a neighbor sees you leave, and knows no one is there, your home WILL be broken into and, generally, appliances taken. Blender, TV, etc. Just the way it is.

I was at immigration in La Paz months ago, and a guy said he was getting a duplicate passport. His smaller leather attache had been lifted from his shopping cart at CCC with a passport and $1,000 in it. Took a second. Random act? Impulse crime? I don't think so. I'm pretty sure there are guys walking around CCC right now looking for someone to turn their back on their cart for maybe 5 - 10 seconds? Women especially, I've noticed, up here and down there, seem to walk away from a purse in a cart thinking it's safe.

Think like a thief. You won't get ripped off. (I've never lifted something from a shopping cart but as a kid, I broke into hundreds of cars at night, mostly out of boredom and because I couldn't sleep.)

:cool:

Tail gates are big theft items here

thebajarunner - 7-12-2007 at 01:21 PM

I know several guys that have lost tail gates off Chevy pickups.
Pretty easy on Fords too.
Less than 60 seconds.
(and if you think cat converters are expensive, wait until you price a new color matched tail gate)

Multitasking

Dave - 7-12-2007 at 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by thebajarunner
(and if you think cat converters are expensive, wait until you price a new color matched tail gate)

Not in Ensenada.

And Dennis, I'm not just "lounging around". For example, I've typed this one-handed.

You should try drumming that way.

805gregg - 7-12-2007 at 04:19 PM

Getting the beater might not work, I meet a guy at a small market that had his beater stolen at that same market, he coundn't believe they would steal such a piece of sh--.

DENNIS - 7-12-2007 at 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lee
[Think like a thief. You won't get ripped off.

Thanks, Lee. You're right but, isn't it a shame for us who have behaved ourselves all our lives to have to change our mind-set from trusting to suspicious? It's a big switch.

Hey bro....great new wrathe avatar. Don't know why but, it's cool.

beachbum1A - 7-12-2007 at 05:02 PM

Glad you like the avitar Dennis. Took my awhile to finally get it figured out.
But back to the subject though, it seems I (we) probably need to change our thought process and start thinking on the offensive to better secure what property we have that we expect to retain for ourselves. In the past I've read several posts where folks have had their complete rigs stolen and I just never gave too much thought to individual pieces of equipment getting ripped off but I sure will now!

DENNIS - 7-12-2007 at 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave
And Dennis, I'm not just "lounging around". For example, I've typed this one-handed.

You should try drumming that way.

My drums are about to re-enter the scene but I can't talk here about what I do one-handed.

When and where is the Pastrami sammy?

DENNIS - 7-12-2007 at 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by soulpatch
Even though I think the bible is a fairy tale I buy into that interpretation of justice.

Right on Bro........
I'm a firm believer of the "bigger hammer" theory. I've had to exercise it on Juarez Ave. in the middle of the day.
I think it was viewed in awe by onlookers but, overwhelming self-respect from me.

New rig

bajaguy - 7-12-2007 at 05:52 PM

Bruce....you need a "drive around rig"....I'm thinking of maybe a 10 year old Suzuki Samauri painted Chartruse green.......hard on the eyes, not too easy to lose, inexpensive and a 4x4 convertible...........what more could you want in Ensenada....except maybe a hungry Pit Bull in the back seat and an ice chest full of Pacificos

bajabound2005 - 7-12-2007 at 07:07 PM

that's why we have no problems in town!! We almost always have 3 crazy dogs in our vehicle! Gets us through the border and military check points SO FAR! We may have a cumuppance at some point! Our dogs are very nice and respectful; but.....one never knows! With the dogs, so far, we've always got a pasale!

Learned suspicious in Nam

Lee - 7-12-2007 at 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Originally posted by Lee
[Think like a thief. You won't get ripped off.

Sad but true and it's served me in life. And, yeah, if I had to take a position, it's a sad commentary around trust vs. suspicious. Don't think the MX think of it that way, though. So, when in Rome....

There's something cool about a death avatar. I don't know why either.

Just watch your back, Bro. Expect the unexpected. Eyes in back of your head and all that. Spyderco in your pocket.

:cool:

Al G - 7-13-2007 at 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MrBillM
Trouble with the word Negro ? How about "Colored". After all, it is "The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People". This PC nonsense is tiresome. Use the Correct PC term and it shows you are sensitive and caring. Use one that's out of date and it indicates something negative about your social awareness or worse.

Being Politically Incorrect, I am "Guanteed" to be "Trappled".

Preeminent member of the Herd.

???????Did I miss something??????
What the heck are you talking about MrBillM :?:

Alzheimer Moment I Guess

MrBillM - 7-13-2007 at 10:11 AM

I incorrectly posted to the wrong thread. I had been on the Jet Ski. Talk about embarassment. My only excuse is that I was doing three tasks on the computer and watching the news on TV.

I am truly Humbled and Contrite.

"Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa, Mea Maxima Culpa" as Jimmy B. would say. .

tuna stick - 7-13-2007 at 10:47 AM

They steal catalytic converters for the precious metals. Back in the old country,Mpls.St Paul, a year ago,they could get $150 US.,from unscrupulous recyclers. How many a day could an ambitious two person crew steal?

vacaenbaja - 7-13-2007 at 11:17 AM

Back when gas got expensive in La Paz late seventies or
early eighties the local riff raff would not be so kind as to just remove a hose and sifon. They would punch holes in
the bottom of gas tanks and drain the gas .You were left with no gas and looking for a new gas tank or someone who would fix yours.

motoged - 7-13-2007 at 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lee

Think like a thief. You won't get ripped off. (I've never lifted something from a shopping cart but as a kid, I broke into hundreds of cars at night, mostly out of boredom and because I couldn't sleep.)

:cool:

Hmmm,
Thanks for sharing about your criminal past....seems like your justifications and rationalizing your behaviours should also work for the Baja thieves.... :light: