In ordinary homes, in towns and cities across the U.S., a nationwide crime surge is being propelled by the search for precious metals, more valuable — and far more functional — than gold.

No, it’s not vibranium and we’re not leading into the world of Black Panther. These metals are the very real platinum, palladium and rhodium, which are mostly used these days to scrub toxic pollutants from the exhaust of a gasoline-powered vehicle. Palladium fetches between $2,000 to $2,500 per ounce (more than gold), while rhodium commands an astonishing $21,000 per ounce. 

The valuable metals are encased within a vehicle’s catalytic converter, a device placed between a car’s engine and the muffler. Catalytic converters have been in use since the 1970’s and are present in almost all gas-powered cars and trucks.