Don’t let your car’s catalytic converter get stolen. Here’s how to fight back
Local law enforcement in Fresno County have some tips for car owners hoping to protect themselves from catalytic converter theft, which has exploded in frequency in the area and around the state.
Fresno has seen reports of 1,225 stolen catalytic converters this year through Oct. 18 compared to 122 reports from all of 2020, according to police. Clovis residents reported 185 cases through Oct. 19, an increase of six times the previous year. The reports in unincorporated areas of Fresno County grew nearly five times, according to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.
Police and mechanics say there aren’t any truly foolproof ways to prevent theft, but slowing a thief down can make them think twice about targeting a car when they can easily move onto another vehicle without protections.
“The hypothesis is it’s a crime of opportunity,” Clovis police Lt. Jim Munro said. “There’s no rhyme or reason. They’ve had it happen all over.”
A metal shield or other security measures slow down a thief, according to police. Physical barriers around the car part will make stealing a converter into about a 15- to 20-minute effort, which is about three or four times longer than an unprotected part, according to Givan Bznuni, owner of All Access Automotive in Fresno.
Here are some tips from the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office:
- Park in a garage if possible. Thieves target vehicles parked in driveways and on streets.
- Use a tool to engrave your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) onto your catalytic converter. Then take a photo of it. Some law enforcement recommends the license plate number.
- Make a report to law enforcement if you see anyone attempting to sell these parts, whether online or at a business.
- Always be skeptical of low prices.
- If you purchase a catalytic converter at a shop, ask the employee to see the part before installing it on your vehicle. The part should be new.
- Calibrate your car’s alarm to set off when it detects vibration.
Engrave the catalytic converter
Local law enforcement said they have teamed with Midas automotive service locations in Fresno and Clovis to etch a license plate number on a car’s catalytic converter for free, assuming no work needs to be done to get to it.
Adding a distinguishing mark allows police to recognize it as stolen if it’s ever found in a thief’s possession. Police in Fresno and Clovis also said they have routine patrols for officers specifically looking for thieves during times deemed the most likely to see stolen car parts.
Fresno police Sgt. Diana Trueba Vega said if the engraving is visible to the thief when they climb under a car to steal the catalytic converter, they may decide the part will be too hard to sell and move to another target.
For more on the program to etch converters, call a local Midas store, Sgt. Trueba Vega at 559-621-2751 or Clovis police at 559-324-2800.
This story was originally published November 1, 2021 at 2:58 PM.
