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Neighbor's Prius catalytic converter stolen tonight

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by crooner, Jun 19, 2021.

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  1. crooner

    crooner Member

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    I guess it was bound to happen. Around midnight I heard a loud scraping metallic sound. Then neighbors shouting. A second generation Prius got its cat stolen.

    I went outside and checked my car. It is fine. But I'm worried they might come back...

    Shoot. Now to find and install a Cat Shield...

    If anyone knows of a shop here in San Diego that installs them, let me know.
     
    #1 crooner, Jun 19, 2021
    Last edited: Jun 19, 2021
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  2. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    They might be back for yours tomorrow... Maybe get a group of neighbors together to wait for them....:whistle::whistle::whistle::whistle:
     
    #2 ASRDogman, Jun 19, 2021
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  3. crooner

    crooner Member

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    True. There are at least 5 or more Gen 3's in the complex, Gen 4's too. I think only 2 or 3 Gen 2's. The thieves were wearing ski masks and drove a black Chrysler sedan, according to the neighbors.

    This is a quiet neighborhood, so you can hear everything at night, even distant freeway roar. They dared to be so loud and used a jack and some sort of power tool to cut off the converter. Crazy stuff!
     
    #3 crooner, Jun 19, 2021
    Last edited: Jun 19, 2021
  4. bat4255

    bat4255 2017 Prius v #2 and 2008 Gen II #2

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    Maybe keep the puppy available you have in your Avatar. :)
     
    #4 bat4255, Jun 19, 2021
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  5. crooner

    crooner Member

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    I wonder if reverse parking to a spot or parking on an end space close to the curb will deter them. There's a guy here with a Corvette that puts a cover on it. Maybe I should pretend my car is special and cover it...:)
     
    #5 crooner, Jun 19, 2021
  6. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    #6 Georgina Rudkus, Jun 19, 2021
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  7. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    #7 ETC(SS), Jun 19, 2021
    Last edited: Jun 19, 2021
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  8. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    In the meantime, I'd go to Dollar Tree and get a large cheap bottle of shampoo or dish washer detergent or even cooking oil to make it look like your car is a big oil leaker.

    Any thief thinking of crawling on a big dirty oil slick would likely go elsewhere.
     
    #8 Georgina Rudkus, Jun 19, 2021
    Last edited: Jun 19, 2021
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  9. crooner

    crooner Member

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    #9 crooner, Jun 19, 2021
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  10. crooner

    crooner Member

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    Great idea. Mix oil with water, or all three? :)
     
    #10 crooner, Jun 19, 2021
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  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    If your concerns are mainly about an overnight parking scenario, it's the same spot every night, and you've got permission, maybe a couple of wheel stop sections, cinch-anchored to a concrete slab (or rebar nailed through asphalt into grade), underneath the car, inside of the wheels and either side of the cat. So they just CAN'T get to it?
     
    #11 Mendel Leisk, Jun 19, 2021
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  12. crooner

    crooner Member

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    Unfortunately, I don't have an assigned spot for this particular car, so I park on any visitor space that's available. The cat theft victim's car was parked on one of those spots last night.

    Also, I hear these thieves can act in broad daylight, even in the workplace. I heard about a Gen 3 crushing a person to death trying to steal the cat, just north of here, in the Los Angeles area.

    Therefore, I just bit the bullet and bought the cat defender. I will ask a local muffler shop for a quote on installation...
     
    #12 crooner, Jun 19, 2021
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  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    sleep in the car until then?
     
    #13 bisco, Jun 19, 2021
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  14. crooner

    crooner Member

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    Good idea. I'll camp out in it :confused:

    Luckily the seller is here in California so I should get the shield soon!
     
    #14 crooner, Jun 19, 2021
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  15. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    rare times when I go shopping in the afternoon and drive back to my place, a car will follow me to figure out if I will park on the road next to the side walk or where it’s accessible to jack it up. I know ain’t seeing things because I will weave through neighborhood street blocks in unorthodox routes, and they are still following me. If I then cover it up, yeah right.
     
    #15 Grit, Jun 19, 2021
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  16. crooner

    crooner Member

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    I haven't noticed anybody following me. I pretty much know if someone doesn't live here. It's a secluded area on top of a hill with only two ways to get in and out of... My guess is the thieves simply drove around looking for an easy target. That Gen 2 fit the bill nicely...
     
    #16 crooner, Jun 19, 2021
    Last edited: Jun 19, 2021
  17. crooner

    crooner Member

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    Local muffler shop is quoting me $225 to install it. That's crazy . I'll try another place...
     
    #17 crooner, Jun 19, 2021
  18. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    Banny Hom.jpg Bannny Hom 2.jpg
    If you don't mind driving out to El Cajon, try Banny Hom Automotive. My dad's friend knew Banny years, ago. Now, his son operates the business.

    It's a small shop on main street. (619) 440-7474 . He's been at the same location for over 50 years.
     
    #18 Georgina Rudkus, Jun 19, 2021
    Last edited: Jun 19, 2021
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  19. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Why not install it yourself? I think with enough bolt/nuts in it the thief would just move on thinking
    it was installed to make it difficult to remove. It should still be difficult anyways.
     
    #19 ASRDogman, Jun 19, 2021
  20. crooner

    crooner Member

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    I thought about it, but I don't have a suitable jack for the job. I'd rather pay someone to make sure it's done right.
     
    #20 crooner, Jun 19, 2021
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