Over the last year we have heard of an increase in various financial crimes like dog kidnappings, along with dog scams online, apartment scams, there have also been ATM thefts on the rise, they've even tried stealing BTC ATMs.
Now some cities are seeing a car jacking epidemic in the U.S. as well, areas like Chicago, Minneapolis, DC, New Orleans, and others.
Minneapolis car thefts up 537%
Chicago car thefts up 55%
DC Car thefts up 330%
New Orleans 126%
El Paso 32%
These aren't the only regions, Missouri, Ohio, Illinois, and other areas, they too are seeing car thefts on the rise.
Even small towns are seeing a rise in car thefts too
Now authorities say that catalytic converters are also increasingly being stolen. One guy had a car crush him while he was attempting to steal one in California.
Thefts for catalytic converters jumps 738%
Last year they saw thefts for these jump more than 738 percent just in Seattle and this year they are looking to double that amount in thefts.
The catalytic converters are being cut off of the cars and then are being sold at the scrapyard. Authorities have suggested that owners can get a cat clamp that can help to protect the vehicle because it might help to slow down or deter thieves.
In South Florida authorities have urged people to try and secure their vehicles during these times that auto thefts are on the rise.
COVID-19 to blame?
The police have said they are very concerned about the increase in thefts that are rapidly rising in areas all around the United States.
They warn that this is a growing problem with no boundaries and that there are several contributing factors including the pandemic and the reduced ability to prosecute these cases because of the pandemic as well. The court system is backed up, millions are financially hurting, and they also point the finger at reduced enforcement over the problem too.