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Losing stereos and, more recently, global positioning systems, to thieves is a common hazard for car owners. But now, price increases for various metals are driving brasher criminals to target dealerships for a more valuable prize: catalytic converters.

The platinum and other metals found in the converters, which reduce emissions, can sell for as much as $250 at scrap centers, according to car dealers. The recession is also driving the trend, some say.

Thieves slip under vehicles — usually trucks, which have higher clearances than cars — to cut off the converters using an electric saw, making the pilferers hard to spot, even for patrolling security, said Peter Bond, general manager of Capital Toyota in Hyattsville and Toyota of Bowie.

Bond, who had five of his back-lot trucks vandalized in the last two months, said vehicles that are higher off the ground, such as older Toyotas, are easier targets. A stolen catalytic converter can cost an owner up to $3,500, including replacement and repair costs. Bond also has had thefts at his Bowie dealership.

"I am told by the police it's happening with monotonous regularity," he said.

The Prince George's County Police Department did not return phone calls seeking comment.

Dealerships in Anne Arundel and Prince George's counties are reporting the most incidents in the state, said Peter Kitzmiller, president of the Maryland Automobile Dealers Association. Areas near Glen Burnie experienced similar thefts a few years ago.

Larry Adler, owner of Eyewitness Surveillance in Annapolis, said he's heard of more than 100 converter thefts in Prince George's County. Eyewitness Surveillance offers an audio-visual security system that includes video surveillance and lets security guards speak to burglars over a loudspeaker.

Adler said several dealerships throughout the state, such as Ron Bortnick Ford in Upper Marlboro, are turning to his system to curb thefts.

While Adler's system may have cut thefts at Bortnick's dealership, it couldn't help one of its employees, Don Lutz, who had a converter stolen from his 1998 Dodge van while it was parked at a nearby shopping center. Lutz said the theft was part of a vandalism spree along Route 50 targeting Lexuses.

Craig Frederick, general manager of Frederick Chrysler in Laurel, said increased police patrols have helped curb thefts. Frederick Chrysler had thefts from two of its Jeep Cherokees a month ago, costing the dealership $1,000 each.

Frederick said that not only are thieves hard to monitor as they lurk between and under vehicles, but they also hit multiple sites in an area each night, averaging $70 per converter at the scrap yards. His dealership has parked all vehicles in lighted areas since the thefts, a method used by many businesses, in addition to hiring security guards.

"We need to do something on the salvage side to make [stolen converters] harder to sell," said Kevin Clements, general manager of Jack Winegardner Chevrolet in Fort Washington. One of his dealership's Hummers was vandalized, although he said most thefts happen along the Route 301 corridor.

He emphasized that thefts can drive up dealership insurance rates, while dealers also have to pay to replace the exhaust systems damaged by removing converters.

Some scrap centers are taking steps to discourage thieves, requesting identification and keeping files on people who bring in commonly stolen materials.

Valerie Gallano, warehouse manager at Converter King of Maryland in Baltimore, said the center receives several hundred converters each month and requests information from all sellers. She said these sales have also fallen since October, after prices for converter metals dropped to $100.

"These things tend to run in cycles," Kitzmiller said. "We publicize the incidents, but there's only so much we can do."

But some businesses profit from the thefts, as service requests for exhaust systems increase.

David Emeigh, service manager for Sheehy Chevrolet in Upper Marlboro, said he's worked on 12 vehicles within the last few months.

Frederick said his service center has also handled 15 repairs.

"As the economy goes, so does the crime," Bond said.