Case Study: National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) achieves enhanced detection and statewide analysis of catalytic converter thefts with LexisNexis Risk Solutions

Catalytic Converter Thefts – An Alternative Approach for Analytical Support

LexisNexis Risk Solutions’ Public Safety Special Investigations Unit (SIU) responded to the nation‑wide surge in catalytic converter thefts—a fast, lucrative crime driven by valuable metals and made harder to investigate because converters lack unique identifiers and agencies face staffing shortages. Law enforcement needed alternative analytic support to identify patterns, prioritize resources, and track incidents across jurisdictions.

Using Accurint Virtual Crime Center and SIU expertise, the team consolidated and cleaned data from 17 agencies to analyze reported thefts from 2019–2023, identifying 12,761 unique cases and nearly 12,000 victim vehicles. The analysis revealed key trends (weekday/daytime peaks, parking lots as top locations, Toyota Prius as the most targeted vehicle) and showed a downturn in late 2023; SIU’s analytic work, VIN enrichment, custom dashboards, and training helped the statewide task force better track incidents and achieve operational goals in combating these thefts.

National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB)

Erika Watson

National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB)