Catalytic converter thefts spike in Placer County

Catalytic converter thefts are on the rise throughout the south Placer area, including Lincoln, Rocklin and Roseville. More than 20 reports of catalytic converter thefts have been received since December 2021, according to the Placer County Sheriff's Office last week in a news release. Placer County Sheriff's Office officials said that more thefts haven't been directly reported to the department. That number doesn't include the multiple reports of catalytic converter thefts by other area law-enforcement agencies. For example, Lincoln Police logs report that there have been nine catalytic converter thefts in Lincoln since Jan.1, 2022, which is three less than what Lincoln Police Department reported this time last year. Roseville's crime logs have cited approximately 24 catalytic converter thefts since the beginning of 2022. By the end of March 2021, Roseville Police Department had up to 41 converter thefts reported. The Placer County Sheriff's Office reported only two catalytic converter thefts from January to March 2021. At this time, Placer County Sheriff's officials were unable to provide information on converter thefts in Loomis as of March 2022. And Rocklin Police Department's crime analyst Shawn Baird told Gold Country Media that there were 16 catalytic converter thefts in Rocklin, as of last week. "In December 2021 alone, there were 20 reported catalytic converter thefts," Baird said. From January to March 2021, there were a total of 38 reported catalytic converter thefts, according to Baird. "Thieves can steal catalytic converters from vehicles in about five minutes and the resale price on the street can reach up to a thousand dollars," said Placer County Sheriff's public information officer Angela Musallam, The average cost to replace a catalytic converter, according to Knutz Auto and Truck staff, ranges between $3,000 and $6,000, based on the car's make and model. To help reduce catalytic converter thefts, the Placer County Sheriff's Office launched a catalytic-converter engraving program by partnering with three auto shops in Placer County: Knutz Auto and Truck at 901 Placer Blvd. in Rocklin, Sierra Auto Care at 3270 Swetzer Road in Loomis and The Master Technicians Inc., 12209 Locksley Lane in Auburn. The three shops provide services for customers to engrave their license plate number or VIN number onto their catalytic converter. "The goal is to make the converter less appealing for thieves to saw off," Musallam said. A marked catalytic converter can also help detectives identify the owner of a stolen converter. Some auto repair shops offer additional services to further deter thieves by spray painting or putting a cage, similar to a shield, on the converter to secure it. Shannon Kreiss from Sierra Auto Care in Loomis has seen the cage as being the most effective" because it adds weight to the converter and makes it harder to steal." Staff at All Muffler Services Inc. in Rocklin installs converter cages for the average cost of $500. To increase catalytic converter theft-prevention, the Placer County Sheriff's Office recommends parking in a well-lit area if you cannot park your vehicle in a garage and getting a motion-sensored car alarm.