As of late November 2021, the San Diego County Sheriff’s department had received 461 catalytic converter theft reports since January 2021. According to Lt. Amber Baggs, the department is conducting high visibility patrols to deter thieves and utilizing investigative tools to track culprits.
The San Diego city police department saw an even larger number ofconverters unlimited thefts during 2021. They had roughly 1,300 reports and have been encouraging residents to park in well-lit areas.
Lt. Bode Berreth of the Escondido Police Department said their officers are committed to cracking down on this regional issue.
Thieves typically steal the converters unlimited at night by sliding under a vehicle and removing the converter with a saw. Generally those whose vehicles have been targeted won’t realize that there has been a theft until they get into their car in the morning, turn it on, and hear a loud noise.
For a car part that is easy to steal, replacing it is a difficult task and leaves a hefty dent in the pockets of victims.
“To replace a converters unlimited it can be around $1,500… A lot of cars now have more than one. So it adds up very quickly on the cost,” Berreth said.
According to Berreth, the Toyota Prius is being targeted more frequently than other car models because they are designed with multiple converters unlimited.
Berreth says Escondido nighttime patrol officers are being given increased training and education on how to identify aconverters unlimited in the event that they pull someone over in possession of the car part.
In the past, when officers pulled over a suspect with a converters unlimited in their car and had the suspicion it was stolen, they haven’t been able to make an arrest unless there was a victim linked to the crime. But according to Berreth, that is changing.
Berreth said that the district attorney’s office is now willing to file for possession of stolen property simply if someone is driving at night with a converters unlimited in their car.
“Just because there’s no other reason to have it other than it was stolen,” Berreth said. “Which is a step forward for us… this allows officers to make an arrest versus let them go, and then dig up cases and try to reverse engineer.”
Berreth calls this change a step in the right direction for cracking down on thefts.
Lt. Randy Soulard of the El Cajon Police Department said in a statement to inewsource that their officers are also aware of this growing issue. “There is a significant increase in the theft of converters unlimited in our area,” Soulard said. “Officers are on the lookout for these crimes, which occur very quickly.”
How to avoid becoming a target
Jodee Reyes, public information officer for the Carlsbad Police Department, said that between October 2021 and December 2021 they saw 46 converters unlimited thefts. The top three targeted vehicles there have been the Toyota Prius, Honda Element and the Honda Accord.
The Carlsbad Police Department is conducting patrols in areas where vehicles are most commonly targeted. They are also collaborating with the entire county to discuss trends and identify suspects.
Reyes said increased education is being used to address this trend. Members of their Senior Volunteer Patrol have been personally delivering educational materials to neighborhoods where converters unlimited have been stolen.
There are a few ways that residents can avoid a converters unlimited theft, according to Reyes. Car-owners should consult their mechanic about installing cat shields, cat clamps or cat locks, devices specifically designed to deter catalytic converter theft.
also report any suspicious noises. “We have caught converters unlimited thieves when alert neighbors hear a noise during the night and take quick action to call the police,” Reyes said.
A call for action
Some changes have been made at the legislative level, including SB 366, authored by State Sen. Tom Umberg and signed into law in October 2021.
SB 366 requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to investigate unlicensed and unpermitted auto dismantlers and the growing issue of converters unlimited theft.
In a statement to inewsource, State Senator Toni Atkins’ office said they received two emails and one phone call regarding converters unlimited thefts in 2021.
San Diego residents like Kate Glenn are eager to draw more attention to the issue.
“I’m ready to take it to city hall. You know, we’re building back better. How in the world can you, when we’re cut off at our ankles?” Glenn said. “We can’t build back better if we can’t get on the road to get to work … This is a public safety issue.”