By Don Sweeney
The Charlotte Observer
LAS VEGAS — A nationwide scourge of catalytic converter thefts caught up with the iconic Oscar Mayer Wienermobile in Las Vegas, temporarily stranding it, news outlets report.
Someone stole the hot dog-shaped vehicle’s catalytic converter overnight in a hotel parking lot, KVVU reported. The Wienermobile team found it would not start Friday, Feb. 10.
After a tow to Penske Truck Rental, mechanics were able to install a temporary catalytic converter, parts administrator Joseph Rodriguez told KLAS.
“A hot dog truck, no way,” Rodriguez told the station. “Imagine like a huge hot dog in the middle of your bay. There’s all these other trucks and you got to work on this.”
Ordering the parts for a permanent fix will take one or two months, Rodriguez said.
Oscar Mayer has six Wienermobiles touring the United States, with stops planned for Sunday, Feb. 12 in Henderson, Nevada; Tucson, Arizona; and Greensburg, Pennsylvania.
Thefts of catalytic converters, which contain precious metals, have soared across the United States, the National Insurance Crime Bureau reported.
More than 14,433 catalytic converter thefts were reported in 2020, compared to 3,389 in 2019, the bureau said.
The devices, which reduce pollution emissions, contain platinum, palladium, or rhodium, the National Insurance Crime Bureau reported.
NEXT: Addressing catalytic converter theft
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