First, thieves were cutting catalytic converters off petrol-powered vehicles because of the valuable platinum, palladium, and rhodium inside the exhaust systems, which convert toxic engine gases into safer emissions. Now, it appears thieves are targeting trucks in one part of the country, not for precious metals, but for entire tailgates.

CBS affiliate KHOU 11, which serves Houston, Texas, recently reported on a vehicle-parts theft ring targeting trucks for their tailgates.

The outlet interviewed a Texas truck owner whose tailgate had been stolen. While searching Facebook Marketplace for a replacement, he stumbled across something unexpectedly familiar: his own tailgate.

The finding led Harris County Precinct 4 deputies to recover eight stolen tailgates from an apartment garage in Harris County, situated in the northwestern part of the Houston metropolitan area, and arrest two 27-year-old men.

Investigators said the owner had placed unique markings on the tailgate before it was stolen, allowing deputies to verify that the item advertised online belonged to him.

“Our complainants had some unique markings on the tailgate that we were able to verify belonged to the complainant,” Harris County Precinct 4 Capt. Jonathan Zitzmann said.

YouTuber WhiteFace Ford reported the tailgate theft problem in Texas in a viral short video titled "The Tailgate Theft Problem Hitting South Texas Truck Owners." 

Beyond the Texas tailgate theft, we reported earlier this month that criminals were stealing entire outdoor HVAC units, prompting some homeowners to install metal cages.