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Here's a tricky question: Are thieves that steal things (money, personal effects, etc.) out of your car considered car thieves, or is that title reserved for crooks who make off with the whole car?  Either way, a new report shows that Shreveport automobile burglars have been resorting to swiping a specific and essential part of your ride in increasing numbers.

According to KTBS, the theft of catalytic converters is on the rise in the Ratchet City.  Just so you know, the catalytic converter is a part of your cars exhaust system that is designed to reduce toxic gasses exiting the vehicle at the exhaust.  That means these criminals have to slide under your car and cut through the metal exhaust pipes in order to claim their ill-gotten prize.  Don't be fooled though, the whole process can be done in seconds.

In case you're wondering why these thieves would go through all of this to get to a dirty car part instead of the whole thing, it's because the catalytic converter is packed full of precious metals essential to the process that occurs inside of it.  Rhodium, platinum, and palladium are all inside these devices.  Depending on the amount of each inside, they could fetch between $100 and $1000 each.

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