Stolen Catalytic Converter off 2015 Prius 2, please beware!!

Who: My poor 2015 Prius 2
What: Stolen Catalytic Converter
When: Feb 27 or 28th, after midnight
Where: On residential street in front of house, Buena Park, CA
Why: To make $250 quick cash but potentially costing its owner $3000 in OEM parts/labor or a new car!
How: Jack up car. Precisely cut before resonator and removed bolts from front connection (coolant lines intact). Probably took less than 5 minutes.

Everyone beware! Scumbags are out for Gen 3 as well. Don't park in dark areas/unlit areas. Get a CAT shield install. Get an alarm with motion/proximity/dual shock sensors. Make sure you get theft coverage, unlike me .

As of now, the factory Toyota CAT's are completely back-order for months, 2 - 3 wait at least. Had I order from the dealer today, I would be wait-listed as customer number 1,221. Only option is to find a used one off salvage yards, good luck to me.

 

Not willing to wait months for a factory cat, I decided to put a cheap aftermarket one from eBay for now to get my car on the road until that day comes. Yes, I am glad the professionals didn't hack off the heater lines, I am thankful for that. Without the factory cat, I was getting codes for P0171 and P0037. Now with the cheap cat, the CEL came on the next day, code P0240. I guess this is expected for California. I wonder if this issue applies to Prius outside of California? Or it only affects much stricter CARB Prius.

 

I will only get it new from Toyota. Not risking high mileage CAT or even stolen ones. If I ever get it new, I plan to add:
1. Viper alarm with additional shock sensor module for extra sensitivity
2. Cat Shield
3. CUSCO POWER BRACE ZVW30 PRIUS FRONT, 951 492 F (dual functionality lol)

 

I will only get it new from Toyota. Not risking high mileage CAT or even stolen ones. If I ever get a new one, I plan to add:
1. Viper alarm with additional shock sensor module for extra sensitivity
2. Cat Shield
3. CUSCO POWER BRACE ZVW30 PRIUS FRONT, 951 492 F (dual functionality lol)

 

Extra layer of protection? It does block the front section of cat. Blocking this area is most critical. I may be going overboard since it will make it more difficult to service this area.