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Many police department jurisdictions within Los Angeles County have experienced a significant increase in catalytic converter thefts, Santa Monica being no exception.  This can be attributed directly to the recent and dramatic rise in the price of certain precious metals such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium.  All three of these metals are used in catalytic converters to create a chemical reaction that is designed to limit toxic exhaust pollution.  

 
Unfortunately, it doesn’t take much time for a thief to remove a catalytic converter from the undercarriage of a vehicle, especially if it happens to be a truck or SUV that has high ground clearance.  Most drivers discover that their catalytic converters have been stolen when they turn their vehicle on and hear a very loud and abnormal exhaust sound.

To help prevent such a theft to your vehicle, the following security tips are offered:

• If you must park on the street, try to park your vehicle in a well-lit area.
• Always lock all doors and windows.
• Activate your alarm system when your vehicle is left unattended (some alarm systems can accommodate an additional alarm sensor that can be placed on the catalytic converter).
• Engrave your catalytic converter with either your California Drivers License number or the vehicle’s license plate number. This procedure can greatly aid in the recovery and return of the converter as well as assist in the prosecution of such a theft.
• Many auto repair and muffler installation shops can “tack” weld the converter’s nut and bolt assembly, making it much more difficult to remove the converter and significantly increasing the time it would take to steal.
• If you see anyone working underneath a parked vehicle late at night or earlier morning hours and it looks like a catalytic converter theft is in progress, call 9-1-1 and report the situation immediately.
   

 For more information on catalytic converter theft and vehicle security, please contact the S.M.P.D Community Relations/Crime Prevention Unit at 310-458-8474.  Anyone with information regarding catalytic converter thefts, who wishes to remain anonymous, may call the WeTip hotline at   1-800-78-CRIME (72463).

April 9, 2008