Tag: Catalytic converter

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Wednesday, March 11, the city of West Hollywood announced that on Saturday, March 14, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., is asking community members with vehicles to participate in the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Catalytic Converter Etching event at the Pacific Design Center, located at 8687 Melrose Avenue (enter from 750 N. San Vicente Boulevard).

The event is organized by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood Station Traffic Unit and LASD Vehicle Theft Task Force. There is no charge for etching, community members may drop-in, and the process takes only a few minutes.

Catalytic converter theft is on the rise nationwide, with thieves slipping under cars to steal catalytic converters in minutes. The auto part contains precious metals that can be sold to scrap recyclers for a few hundred dollars. Vehicles with higher ground clearances and hybrid vehicles are a favorite target of thieves due to relative ease of removal. Replacing a catalytic converter can cost between $1,500 and $5,000, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

Two new catalytic converter laws went into effect in California at the beginning of 2023 defining who may sell and purchase catalytic converters to help ensure that sellers are the verifiable owners of vehicle parts, and to require a traceable payment method for transactions. The new laws include fines and penalties for those convicted of knowingly and willfully violating these requirements. Increasing guardrails and accountability for offenders is one of many strategies in addressing this crime and its underlying causes.

West Hollywood and the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station recommend additional tips to help deter theft, including:

-Park in secure garages or in well-lit areas. If you park in your driveway, install motion sensor lights and security cameras. In public garages and lots, park near the entrance.

-Install a catalytic converter anti-theft device such as a cage or steel plates.

-Install an alarm, either for the whole car or just for the catalytic converter.

-Engrave your vehicle identification number (VIN) and phone number on your catalytic converter. It could help law enforcement track and identify the stolen part. Look for free catalytic converter etching events near you.

-Spray-paint your catalytic converter with high-temperature automotive paint. It can alert scrap recyclers to look for VIN etchings.

-Report the theft to law enforcement and your insurance company. Statistics can help pass laws that make it harder for thieves to steal catalytic converters in the future.

To reserve a spot or for more information about the Free Drop-In LASD Catalytic Converter Etching Event call (310) 358-4022.

 

By Danny Jones

LOS FELIZ—The Los Angeles Police Department reported on Monday, March 1 that two suspects responsible for the theft of catalytic converters had been arrested.

On February 27, at approximately 3:40 a.m., Northeast Division patrol officers observed suspects removing a catalytic converter from underneath a parked vehicle in the area of Rodney Drive and Los Feliz Boulevard. When officers attempted to detain the suspects they fled in a vehicle, and a brief vehicle pursuit ensued.

The suspects later lost control of their vehicle, resulting in a single-vehicle traffic collision. The suspects then fled on foot. Officers took two suspects into custody. They were identified as Elvin Ferrera, 23 from Whittier, and a 17-year-old male juvenile from Huntington Park.

LAFD responded to the scene and transported both suspects to a local hospital for injuries sustained during the traffic crash. Two additional suspects remain outstanding.

During the investigation, officers recovered five additional catalytic converters from the suspect vehicle. Detectives will work to determine whether the recovered property is connected to additional thefts in the area.

The Northeast area has seen a rise in catalytic converter thefts this year and is calling for public help to prevent these crimes. Vehicle owners, especially those with Toyota sedans, are advised to park in well-lit locations or off the street when possible and to use cloud-based home security cameras.

The public is also asked to follow LAPD Northeast on social media, including Facebook and Instagram, for additional crime-prevention information, such as catalytic converter cages or guards, and upcoming VIN etching and marking events.

Anyone with details, including surveillance video related to catalytic converter thefts in the Northeast Area, is asked to contact Northeast Auto Detectives at (323) 561-3257. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wanting to remain anonymous may contact LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), visit www.lacrimestoppers.org, or use the “P3 Tips” mobile application.

 

By Danny Jones

SANTA MONICA—The Santa Monica City Council approved a new ordinance that includes a $500 fine for suspects in possession of stolen catalytic converters at a special meeting on Wednesday, May 24. Prior to this approval, the city had no laws targeting the possession of stolen catalytic converters.

Catalytic converter thefts in Santa Monica have increased over the last 7 years. According to the Santa Monica Police Department, in 2016, 11 catalytic converters were stolen, and in 2017 that number rose to 35. By 2020, hundreds were stolen each year; there were 229 stolen in 2020, 302 in 2021, and 312 in 2022. In 2023, 215 accounts of catalytic converter thefts were reported as of May 22.  

Santa Monica Police Sergeant Alfonso Lozano indicated Santa Monica averages at least two catalytic converters stolen each day.

Catalytic converters are common in most cars; they remove harmful exhaust pollutants. The part is typically accessible from the exterior of the car, usually underneath the body, which makes it vulnerable to theft. In addition, they are made of three types of precious metals, palladium, rhodium, and platinum, which make it a profitable part for thieves to steal. 

In the past, law enforcement could not hold suspects in possession of stolen catalytic converters accountable unless there was evidence the part came from a victim’s specific vehicle. The new ordinance aims to amend that issue.

The ordinance “will make it unlawful to possess a catalytic converter that is not attached to a vehicle, unless the possessor has valid documentation or other proof of lawful possession,” said Santa Monica Detective Martin Hardy during the City Council meeting.

City Attorney Douglas Sloan said valid proof or documentation can take many forms, such as receipts of purchase, proof to be used by a mechanic, or documentation from a body shop proving ownership. 

“The context matters,” said Sloan at the meeting. “If you work for Toyota, and you’re transporting catalytic converters from a warehouse to a Toyota dealership, and you can show that, then you likely wouldn’t be convicted of this.”

Sergeant Lozano said fines may be issued based on the officers’ “experience” and “intuition.” Officers will utilize investigative discretion; if there is other evidence suggesting the catalytic converters were stolen, this will be taken into account.

“If it’s three in the morning, officers are responding to the radio call, the individuals are under the influence, there’s burglary tools, there’s multiple catalytic converters, they’re not going to have any documentation that they’re going to the mechanics or are coming from a mechanic,” said Sergeant Lozano at teh Santa Monica City Council meeting.

Sergeant Lozano also said that etching the license plate number or last six digits of a vehicle’s VIN number into the catalytic converter can help identify it if it’s found in the possession of a suspect. 

“That does help,” Lozanao stated. “It’s not required, but we do advise people to do that. It’s a linkage type of solution.

By Paige Strickland