Orange County deputies warn of increase in catalytic converter thefts

Deputies said in January two were stolen, and 13 have been stolen so far in February.

Five of the stolen converters were from Toyota Priuses, including four from the same neighborhood in southern Orange County. A Mebane business also had converters stolen from four of their cars.

Deputies said that converters from a hybrid car are worth more since they tend to have additional precious metals in them that tend to be cleaner and less corroded.

Converters typically don't have a Vehicle Identification Number stamped on them, which makes it difficult to trace a stolen converter back to a victim's car.

Sheriff Charles Blackwood warned that "although putting a VIN or other owner identification number on your catalytic converter might help with recover if yours is stolen, prevention is the best defense."

Blackwood recommended keeping cars in a garage, or parking in a well-lit area or within view of surveillance cameras.

Anyone with information on the thefts is asked to call Inv. Jason Nazworth at 919-245-2960.