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SALINAS, Calif.- It can all happen in as little as 30 seconds. That's a quick run into the store. You come back out and when you start your car something's not right. Someone stole the Catalytic converter from your car.
But the real treasure is inside these converters. And that's what thieves are going after. Inside is platinum, platium , and rhodium. Thieves can get hundreds of dollars selling just one catalytic converter.
"They get a little more for the import cars. Toyota, Mercedes, BMW. The precious metal content in those is a lot higher," said Howard Cauntay, Mechanic.
Cauntay has seen plenty of catalytic converter thefts especially in the past three years. He demonstrated the way thieves are getting them out without getting caught.
"What they are using is a chain cutter, it doesn't make any noise, they can just cut the metal and its drops out real fast," said Cauntay.
As far as which cars are targeted the most?
"The Toyota pickups. Because they are easier to get under," said Cauntay.
And Cauntay as well as police said regulating who can purchase these convertors has helped them lower thefts.
