Pleasanton, Livermore See Rise In Catalytic Converter Thefts

PLEASANTON, CA — Samantha Catalano knew something was wrong when she started her Toyota Prius and it roared like a muscle car.

It turned out that Catalano's catalytic converter — a relatively easy-to-steal car part located before the muffler — had been stolen from the confines of her Pleasanton apartment complex, she said. Catalytic converters are a high-value item that can be stolen in less than five minutes traded for cash at a chop shop or metal recycler, police say.

Catalytic converter theft reports have spiked in recent months, said Pleasanton Police Department Sgt. Aaron Fountain. None were reported in October, five were reported in November and nine were reported in December. Just one was reported in January, Fountain said last week.

Pleasanton isn't the only Tri-Valley community that's seen an increase in the thefts. The Livermore Police Department warned in November that Toyota Prius cars were being targeted. Police believed a red Ford Escort station wagon was linked to the crimes and offered a $750 reward to anyone with information about the thefts.

Most Bay Area catalytic converter theft victims tend to own Toyotas, Fountain said. Thieves are usually caught when a resident notices and reports suspicious activity in their neighborhoods, he said.

Catalano said she was told that Priuses made before 2010 tend to have larger catalytic converters and are especially vulnerable to theft.

After the first incident in November, Catalano's landlord allowed her to park her car in a more crowded area near a pool, where people tend to walk their dogs, she said. A security guard patrols at night, so Catalano said she thought her car was safe.

She started her car on Jan. 20 and heard a familiar, frightening sound. She took a peek under her car.

"I could just see wires all over the floor," Catalano said.

So again, she took her car to the shop and filed a police report. A neighbor said he noticed the lights were turned out on the carport around the time that the theft was thought to have occurred, Catalano said.

This time, she installed a frame around the exhaust around her exhaust kit, moved to a parking spot in front of her condo and purchased a doorbell surveillance camera.

Catalano said she's fortunate to have insurance that covered the repairs, but worried about others who don't. Without insurance, the repairs would have cost her nearly $3,000 for each fix.

The thefts have taken a toll on her. Catalano said she feels paranoid and frequently peeks out her window to check on her car.

She said she doesn't have the money for a deposit, wants to stay in Pleasanton and rent is decent at her current place.

"I honestly feel unsafe," Catalano said. "It is just too much of a coincidence for me."

Call the Pleasanton Police Department at 925-931-5122 to report an emergency and 925-931-5100 to report a non-emergency.