Camarillo Police Department Presents “Etch and Catch” Catalytic Converter Anti-Theft Program

The Camarillo Police Department is teaming up with several local businesses to deter catalytic converter thefts.

Between April 1^st, 2020 and March 1^st, 2021, there have been 100 catalytic converter thefts in the City of Camarillo.  The top 10 vehicles targeted for catalytic converter thefts in Ventura County Sheriff’s jurisdictions have been, Toyota Prius, Ford F250, Honda Element, Ford F350, Honda Accord, Ford Econoline, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chevrolet Express, Chevrolet Astro Van, Ford Excursion.

In an effort to deter would-be thieves and to track stolen catalytic converters, the Camarillo Police Department has teamed up with several local auto repair, tire shops, and oil change locations. The below listed businesses have agreed to etch the vehicle license plate and paint a Sheriff’s star on your catalytic converter, free of charge when you bring your vehicle in for service. Our collective goal is to deter a potential thief who might be planning to steal your catalytic converter.

If a catalytic converter is stolen, this will help law enforcement or a scrap yard in recognizing that the catalytic converter as stolen based on the markings. Refer to the attached photograph of a marked catalytic converter from one of our police vehicles.

You can get your catalytic converter marked at any of the below locations while receiving regular service for your vehicle: 

Camarillo Car Care Center (805) 482 2853               2739 E Daily Dr

Jiffy Lube                            (805) 482 4500                  274 Arneill Rd.

Jiffy Lube                          (805) 388 1922                  55 W Daily Dr.

Xpress Lube                     (805) 388 0342                  4021 Adolfo Rd

Service One Car Care      (805) 987 3177                  2145 Las Posas Rd

Camarillo Independent    (805) 987 8180                  1955 E Daily Dr #105

When you bring your vehicle to any of the locations listed for regular service, be sure to ask them about the program and have them mark your catalytic converter. 

We would like to thank all of our “Etch and Catch” partners who have agreed to work with us to prevent this crime from continuing.  The next time you are at a local auto repair, body shop, or oil change location, check for the “Camarillo Police Department Catalytic Converter Anti-Theft Program – Member” sticker to see if they participate in this program. See attached photograph of the sticker.

Here are some tips to help prevent catalytic converter theft:

1. Bring your vehicle in to have your license plate engraved and Sheriff’s star painted on your catalytic converter at one of the above listed “Etch and Catch” program locations.
2. Park in a secured garage when possible or in a well-lit area where the vehicle will be seen by passersby.
3. Install motion-sensitive lighting and surveillance cameras that covers areas where you park your vehicles.
4. Install a catalytic converter anti-theft device.

If you hear strange noises during the night, such as power tools or sawing, if you see a vehicle driving suspiciously slow through your neighborhood or stopped at the side of the road or if you see or hear ANYTHING out of the ordinary call Sheriff’s dispatch at 911 or (805) 654-9511.

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime.  The caller may remain anonymous.  The call is not recorded.  Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

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