AUSTIN, Texas — Since 2020, catalytic converter thefts have become more and more common in Texas cities, so the Legislature is trying to help crack down on this fast-growing crime.
Catalytic converters help filter out harmful exhaust byproducts, but the precious metals inside are what make them valuable to thieves.
In 2019, the Austin Police Department (APD) investigated 27 catalytic converter thefts the whole year. But this year, between January and March, APD has already investigated 271.
The Castillos live in Pflugerville and had the catalytic converter stolen out of their Class C camper while it was parked in an RV storage lot in 2022.
"We just knew there was no way to prevent it, and a lot of people in our facility were hit with the same problem," Kristen Castillo said.
She said they tried to sell that camper, but before they could find someone to buy it, thieves struck again.
"The day before we tried to trade in the Class C, we went to turn the fridge on, and it was missing again. So it was just a few months later – it happened twice," Castillo said.
The Castillo family got a new camper just over six months ago, one that actually needs a truck or SUV to pull it.
The reason they went for this is because under the camper, there's not a catalytic converter to be stolen, making it less of a target than what they had before, especially when it is just being stored.
This crime has become a big problem statewide, prompting legislators to also take up the issue.
"Members, this has become a very violent crime, a very sophisticated crime," State Sen. Carol Alvarado of Houston said to her fellow lawmakers.
Texas lawmakers are considering several bills aimed at cracking down on these thefts. Senate Bill 224 would make these thefts a felony offense.
"We are giving law enforcement and prosecutors the flexibility and the discretion to investigate and really stick it to somebody who's even thinking of engaging in this crime," Alvarado said.
The Texas Senate approved SB 224 this month. It now needs approval in the House.