Santa Cruz County Thieves Tend To Target Particular Car Model

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office is sounding the alarm about catalytic converter thefts after thieves were captured early Thursday morning.

Twenty such thefts have been reported this month, while another 110 were reported this year, the sheriff's office said. Thieves tend to target Toyota Prius models.

The sheriff's office released video of two people who drove a black Honda Civic stealing a catalytic converter from a Toyota Prius in the 1900 block of Maciel Avenue around 4 a.m. Thursday. They arrived about 20 minutes prior to scope out the car, then returned with a car jack and stole the part in about three minutes.

Catalytic converters are a high-value item located behind a car's exhaust pipe that can be stolen in just a minute, in some cases. These thefts can cost drivers $2,000 to $3,000, Santa Cruz police said earlier this year.

Prius catalytic converters are particularly valuable because they're less likely to be corroded, Bay Area News Group reported. This is because Priuses also rely on an electric motor, not just a gas engine alone.

Residents may consider installing motion-activated lights, surveillance cameras and consider purchasing aftermarket shields for their catalytic converters, the sheriff's office said.

The sheriff's office asks people to stay vigilant and report suspicious activity.