Manhattan Beach Weekly Crime Report: 18 Arrests Made From March 26-April 1

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — Four vehicle burglaries, seven theft cases and one assault were reported in Manhattan Beach during the week that ended April 1, police say.

In all, 18 arrests were made during the week. Among the more notable cases were:

At around 8:45 p.m. on March 26, officers responded to the 1300 block of 23rd Street for a theft report of a catalytic converter.

The registered owner of a Toyota Tacoma checked his surveillance video and saw a potential suspect vehicle, a black sedan, stop in front of his house at about 5 am. Detectives are investigating the case.

In the wake of the incident, the MBPD is giving the following tips to prevent catalytic converter thefts.

• Choose well-lit, high-traffic areas to park.

• Park close to entrances or security cameras when possible.

• If you have a garage, use it consistently.

• Devices like cages or shields make it harder and more time-consuming to remove the converter. Thieves usually go for easier targets, so this can be a strong deterrent.

• Engrave your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) onto the converter. This makes it traceable and less attractive for resale.

• Set up a car alarm or motion sensor. Some alarms can be triggered by vibration or tilting. Even a loud noise can scare off a thief before they finish the job.

• If possible, park with the exhaust side facing a wall or curb to limit access.
• Be extra cautious if you drive a higher-risk vehicle, like a hybrid or SUV with higher clearance.

The full weekly crime report can be seen here.