Thieves Target Citrus College Parking Lots

Three vehicles at Citrus College parking lots were targeted in recent burglaries, police reported this week.

Catalytic converters were stolen from two vehicles the week of Nov. 16, according to Glendora Police Lt. Brian Summers.

The first theft was reported at 9:36 p.m. Nov. 16. The second theft was reported 9:42 a.m. Nov. 17, according to Summers.

Summers said both incidents probably occurred about the same time.

When removing a catalytic converter, thieves will "go under and sometimes use a torch or a cutting tool," Summers said.

One theft occurred in the S4 parking lot, which is near Citrus Avenue, according to campus spokeswoman Paula Green. The second theft occurred in the S2 parking lot, just to the west of the S4 lot.

Targeted vehicles -- usually trucks and SUVs -- typically are higher off the ground than most other vehicles, Summers said, adding that in both reported thefts the catalytic converters were taken from Toyota pickup trucks.

Thieves can work rapidly, officials said, and typically steal catalytic converters for the precious metals the devices contain, usually platinum and even rhodium, according to Wired.com.

The price of platinum was just under $1,550 at the time of publication, according to Kitco.com, a company specializing in the sale of precious metals.

The third incident was reported 8:22 a.m. Nov. 20.

In that incident, a vehicle's window was smashed and the vehicle's satellite radio was taken, along with a wallet, Summers said.

Anyone with information on the crimes is asked to call the Glendora Police Department at (626) 914-8250.