Catalytic Converter Thefts Increase

Catalytic converter thefts are on the rise – again – in Roseville.

Last week, the reported an increase in this type of thefts. Typically, Toyota pickup trucks and Toyota SUVs, like 4Runners, are targeted.

How it’s Done (Information from the Roseville Police Department):

The thieves crawl under the truck, unbolt or cut off the catalytic converter (part of the emission control system, mounted under the chassis), and then sell the parts to scrap yards.  Metal recyclers buy them in order to mine the small amounts of platinum and other precious metals contained in them.  They're expensive parts to replace.

How to Prevent it:

• If you have a Toyota truck or SUV, your safest parking place at home is inside your locked garage.
• You might also want to talk to your mechanic or search the Internet for a catalytic converter lock that makes them more difficult to steal.
• Be aware of suspicious activity around these vehicles-if you see people other than the owners looking under, or crawling under a vehicle, call 911 immediately.

Recent Thefts:

• Overnight on July 29 and July 30, thieves stole catalytic converters from three Toyota pickups or SUVs in the Cresthaven neighborhood: Two in the 400 block of Dawnridge and one in the 700 block of Portside Circle.
• Sometime during the day on July 20, someone stole a catalytic converter from a Toyota pickup parked in the Amtrak lot, 201 Pacific St.
• A from a Toyota 4 Runner about 10 a.m. July 30 in a store parking lot in the 6700 block of Stanford Ranch Road.