Well that sure seems to be true.

https://www.motortrend.com/news/catalytic-converter-thefts-n...

“According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, the pandemic has seen a rapid rise in catalytic converter theft. In 2019, an average of 282 catalytic converters were stolen every month; in 2020 the average had risen to 1,203—and that's just an average. In December alone, 2,347 catalytic converters were stolen.”

And anecdotally, living in Chicago: I know of so very many people who have had their convertors stolen. The wonders of outdoor parking.