Oceanside, CA–The Oceanside Police Department will present a catalytic converter etching event on March 12 to the public to combat the increase of thefts of the exhaust emission control device.
The 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. event is hosted by Len’s Auto Body located at 510 Jones Road in Oceanside. It is a part of a multifaceted strategy that Oceanside police has implemented to address the uptick in catalytic converter thefts occurring nationwide.
Catalytic converters are vehicle parts that contain valuable platinum group metals like rhodium, iridium, and palladium. The increase in these thefts coincides with the increase in the cost for these precious metals and the increase in demand for catalytic converters due to increasing vehicle emission regulation. Criminals can steal a car owner’s catalytic converter in seconds, using tools found at hardware stores, leaving the owner with costly parts to replace and repair.
Matching a stolen catalytic converter to the vehicle it was stolen from, is an important step in the pursuit of a criminal case against the thieves. Police are urging car owners to engrave their vehicle’s identification number on their converter to link the part to their vehicle. The engraving can also alert buyers to stolen parts. Participating in a catalytic converter etching event is a proactive measure car owners can take to assist law enforcement in combating this crime trend.
All participants will have their catalytic converters etched with an identifying number. This etching will provide law enforcement with valuable information should it be stolen and later located by law enforcement personnel during subsequent investigations.
Oceanside police personnel will be available throughout the day to provide valuable tips to help keep the owner’s vehicle safe.
This event is provided at no cost to participants. Registration is required. To schedule an appointment visit https://bit.ly/36q7yyi.
