From the Cowley County Sheriff’s Office: As a reminder… Catalytic converter thefts are on the rise. Every vehicle manufactured after 1974 has a catalytic converter. Certain vehicles are more prone to CAT theft; currently Toyota Prius vehicles and pick-up trucks are the most frequently targeted. Currently, in Cowley County the Ford F250’s are being targeted. A skilled thief can steal your catalytic converter in less than 5 minutes. The average cost to replace a catalytic converter is nearly $4000. The average theft deterrent enhancement is about $150. By etching your Catalytic converter, it may reduce your chances of theft because the thief may think twice before stealing a piece of identifiable property. In addition, etching your Catalytic converter can assist law enforcement with making owner identification thereby helping with prosecution of thieves in our community.