Police Files

Catalytic converter thefts on the rise

The Newport Beach Police Department has seen a recent trend of catalytic converters stolen from vehicles. These incidents have been happening most frequently in the Flower Streets in Corona del Mar. They have also started to see some reported in and around the Newport Heights/Cliff Haven area.

Thieves steal catalytic converters because they contain precious metals – typically platinum, palladium and rhodium. It can take just a minute or two for a thief to remove a catalytic converter. The most common vehicle they have seen targeted for these thefts is the Toyota Prius.   

With this information in mind, consider one or more of these methods for preventing your catalytic converter from being stolen:

–Park your car in your garage if you have one.

–When parking outside, park in well-lit areas and/or close to a building entrance.

–Have the bolts welded.

–Purchase a security device that can make it more difficult to access or remove the catalytic converter.

–Have your VIN number engraved on the catalytic converter, so it is easy to identify if stolen.

–If parking in the driveway or close enough to your home, install a video surveillance camera that has your vehicle in view.

–If you have a car alarm, set it so that vibration will activate it. This will set the alarm off if a thief tries to saw it off.   

Please call the Newport Beach Police Department immediately if you see suspicious activity at 949.644.3717.