WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Ron Katz, owner of Midas of West Palm Beach, will be partnering with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office for a free event to help vehicle owners prevent catalytic converter thefts.
On Aug. 20 the Midas location will provide free engraving of a vehicle's VIN on catalytic converters.
Among the ways to safeguard a car from a catalytic converter theft is by engraving it with a license plate number or VIN so law enforcement officials can trace it back to the owner if recovered, according to officials.
Thieves across the country are stealing catalytic converters for the precious metals inside, such as rhodium, which the National Insurance Crime Bureau has valued at $14,500 per ounce.
Using basic tools, experienced thieves reportedly can remove a catalytic converter in one to two minutes. Thieves can net hundreds of dollars at a scrapyard or recycler.
The Midas event will also host a blood drive, in which donors will receive free oil changes, and a barbecue.
Katz, who owns three Midas dealerships in Florida, was the 2021 recipient of the Tire Business Tire Dealer Humanitarian Award for his various charitable endeavors for his community.