Catalytic-Converter Thief Busted With Saw, Under Car: Cops

ALAMEDA, CA — A man was arrested last week on the 2300 block of Blanding Avenue in Alameda for a suspected in-progress catalytic converter theft, after arriving officers found him with a saw in hand under the passenger side of a vehicle, according to the Alameda Police Department.

"As the suspect emerged from beneath the car, he was greeted by the responding officer," the agency said. "The individual had already removed one catalytic converter and was in the process of removing a second converter when APD arrived."

The individual, who was not identified, was on probation and arrested for suspicion of providing false identification and grand theft, officials said.

"Kudos to a nearby employee, who notified authorities when they observed the individual sliding under cars," the department added.

So far in 2020, 208 catalytic-converter thefts were reported in the city — three on Oct. 6 alone, police said. That figure is a sharp increase over the 31 such thefts logged in the same timeframe in 2019.

While many vehicles are susceptible to catalytic-converter thefts, often targeted are Toyota Priuses and Honda Elements, Alameda police property-crimes detectives said.

Police recommended the following tips to protect vehicles:

• If possible, park in a secured garage.
• Park in well-lit and visible areas.
• Park within view of surveillance cameras and/or near motion sensor lights.
• Consider installing catalytic-converter security devices or coverings – such as Catloc devices or convertor shields.
• Recalibrate car alarm sensitivity.
• If your vehicle is parked in a driveway or in front of your house, consider installing motion-sensor security lights and cameras.
• Hide/remove all belongings from vehicles — even those that seem less valuable, like GPS/phone mounts or chargers, jackets, sunglasses, coins or shopping bags (including empty ones) can bring unwanted attention to a vehicle.

• When possible, remove all valuable items from the trunk or metal lockboxes (pickup trucks) before arriving at your destination.
• Consider using gas-pedal or steering-wheel locks.
• Secure all vehicle doors and windows.

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