A catalytic converter, which is part of the car's exhaust system, can be quickly stolen.
For experienced thieves, it only takes a few minutes to lift the car with a jack, saw off the catalytic converter and drive on to the next theft goal.
The victim usually does not realize what happened until he starts the car - and is met by a noise reminiscent of a lawnmower.
Just a few years ago, the kind of theft was unusual - in 2018, a total of 17 catalyst thefts were reported throughout the country.
Extreme increase
Since then, there has been an explosive increase.
During the first six months of the year, 3,877 thefts of catalysts were reported in the country.
That is more than during the whole of last year, and in the same period last year, 1,099 catalysts were stolen.
It shows statistics from the insurance companies' industry organization Alarm Service.
- It is quite easy to steal, it is difficult to trace the goods to individual thefts and it can happen without any major professionalism.
You only need to be able to handle angle cutters and then there are rogue buyers who buy large lots.
There is a certain industry around this, says Mats Galvenius, CEO of Larmtjänst.
Leagues behind the theft wave
Catalysts contain valuable precious metals, which are extracted from stolen goods.
Some older car models contain more of the coveted metals, but even hybrid-powered cars, such as the Toyota Pius, are attractive to thieves.
According to the police's national operational department, Noa, international theft gangs are behind the lion's share of car thefts in Sweden.
- When it comes to catalysts, they are taken abroad to be sold in the home country or in other countries.
It is always the demand that governs what is to be stolen, says Jesper Kotander who is group manager at the intelligence unit at Noa.
He believes that the investigations are resource-intensive and that the police must focus their work on controlling exports at the border, before the goods leave Sweden.
The Swedish Customs confirms the image that the export of car parts is a growing problem.
- It can be smaller vans that are loaded with this type of goods.
Often these are rather obscure goods, says Henrik Sjökvist, unit manager within the control department South at the Swedish Customs.
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Learn how the international theft leagues work, step by step, in the video above Photo: Storyblocks