BEVERLY HILLS—The Los Angeles Police Department is advising residents to keep an eye on their vehicle’s catalytic converters.
According to a bulletin from the LAPD from April 25, the theft of catalytic converters has been on the rise since January 1. These devices, originally introduced in 1975, are being targeted by thieves due in large part to the precious elements found in them, which includes gold, platinum, palladium and rhodium, which all have risen in both value and demand over the years.
Larger consumer vehicles like trucks and SUVs have been especially targeted due to their high ground clearance and easily removed bolt-on attachments. Honda Elements and Toyota trucks have been found to be primary targets.
It was also noted that converters that have been welded on could also be targeted, and the removal of these can be especially dangerous as they must be cut out of the vehicle, which could damage the car and other components. The cost of replacing a catalytic converter can reach north of $1,000.
Most of the thefts have occurred south of Wilshire Boulevard all the way to Venice Boulevard and between Rimpau Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue. Usually they occur between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., so detectives have advised residents to leave their vehicles in their garages, carports or driveways or where there is an abundance of light. In addition, the bulletin advised that catalytic converter locking devices can be installed by mechanics to add another layer of protection on top of an existing burglar alarm.
