Serving Larchmont Village, Hancock Park, and the Greater Wilshire neighborhoods of Los Angeles since 2011.

Police Report Uptick in Catalytic Converter Thefts

photo credit: Vandals, Theives and Knaves via photopin (license)
A Tacoma after catalytic converter was cut out of vehicle. Photo credit: Vandals, Theives and Knaves via photopin (license)

It can only take two minutes for a thief to rip out the catalytic converter under your automobile that will render your vehicle inoperable and and could cost you upwards of a thousand dollars to replace.

Catalytic converter theft is on the rise nationwide and Los Angeles is no exception to this trend.  Both LAPD Olympic and Wilshire divisions have seen a variety of vehicles targeted – it is on the rise specifically in the Mid-City and Miracle Mile areas.  Many higher-sitting vehicles such as the Honda Element, the Toyota Sequoia and the Nissan Quest van have been targeted, but the LAPD has also seen a rising number of Toyota Camrys, Honda Accords and other sedans targeted as well.

The catalytic converter is part of a vehicle’s exhaust system and is valuable for its precious metals such as platinum, palladium, rhodium or gold. A jacked catalytic converter can be sold to metal recyclers for $50-$250 each.  A thief can unbolt or cut out and remove a catalytic converter in a matter of minutes, disabling your car completely.

The LAPD shared some tips to prevent catalytic converter thefts. They suggest parking your vehicle in a secure garage, installing devices that are sold off-market and designed to prevent such thefts, etching an identifying number onto your catalytic converter, or having a muffler shop mechanic weld additional metal onto the catalytic converter to prevent its removal.

Information and questions may be directed to the LAPD Wilshire Auto Detectives at 213-922-8205.

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Julie Grist
Julie Grist
Julie co-founded the Larchmont Buzz with fellow buzzer Mary Hawley in 2011 and served as Editor, Publisher and writer for the hive for many years until the sale of the Buzz in August 2015. She is still circling the hive as an occasional writer.

Related Articles

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Calendar

Latest Articles

.printfriendly { padding: 0 0 60px 50px; }