Nature of Incident: Ojai Police Department Joins “Etch and Catch” Catalytic Converter Antitheft Program
Location: Automotive Businesses in and Around the City of Ojai
Date & Time: Ongoing
Unit(s) Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office – Ojai Patrol Station
Narrative:
In response to incidents of catalytic converter thefts in the City of Ojai and the surrounding valley, The Ojai Patrol Station has joined the “Etch and Catch” Catalytic Converter Anti-Theft Program. The Ojai Police Department has teamed up with several businesses in the City of Ojai and the community of Oak View. These businesses have agreed to etch your license plate number and paint a Sheriff’s star on your catalytic converter, free of charge. Ideally, once a thief sees that your catalytic converter has been marked, they will stop in their tracks. If they do steal a marked catalytic converter, law enforcement or scrap yard employees will be able to recognize that the catalytic converter is stolen and will be able to locate the rightful owner.
THE FOLLOWING BUSINESSES HAVE AGREED TO PARTICAPATE:
Adamson’s Tire (805) 272-8264 214 Bryant St, Ojai
Ojai Valley Imports (805) 646-6106 996 E Ojai Ave, Ojai
Fred’s Tire Man (805) 649-2830 545 N Ventura Ave, Oak View
Ojai Valley Muffler (805) 649-1423 501 N Ventura Ave, Oak View
Participating businesses have been provided with an “Ojai Police Department Catalytic Converter Anti-Theft Program Member” sticker to prominently display so that customers can recognize them as participants. When you call to make an appointment be sure to mention that it is for the “Etch and Catch” program.
We cannot thank our program partners enough for their participation in this program and their willingness to help the community and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office by taking steps to help achieve our stated mission to “respond to public concerns in a manner which promotes neighborhoods free from the fear of crime.”
In addition to having your catalytic converter engraved at one of our participating “Etch and Catch” partners, here are some suggestions to help you prevent theft of your property.
- Whenever possible, park in a garage or other secured area. If not possible, try to park in a well-lit area covered by surveillance cameras or clearly visible by others.
- Consider installing motion activated lighting and cameras for driveways used for parking.
- Research aftermarket catalytic converter ant-theft devices that are available for your make and model of vehicle. Consider if the purchase and installation of an available anti-theft device is appropriate for your circumstances.
Prepared by: Detective Scott Reeder
News Release Date: November 3, 2021,
Media Follow-Up Contact: Detective Scott Reeder (805) 477-7038 [email protected]
Approved by: Captain Jose Rivera
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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I had a gardening business and chose to etch my drivers license number on all my equipment. A drivers license number is a very good choice to identify property because it’s the easiest to track.