Ventura PD Sees Increase in Catalytic Converter Thefts

Community Crime Alert: Ventura Police See a Significant Increase in Catalytic Converter Thefts

Ventura, Calif. — The Ventura Police Department (VPD) warns residents about a rise in catalytic converter thefts in the city of Ventura. Community members are encouraged to take simple precautions to safeguard vehicles from this type of crime.

In 2020, 115 catalytic converter thefts, or about 10 a month, were reported in Ventura. In the past two months alone, VPD has seen catalytic converter thefts increase by nearly 200% with 59 thefts reported in 2021.

“The community is urged to be aware of this crime trend and be vigilant in protecting their vehicles to avoid falling victim,” commented Sergeant Edward Caliento. “Precautions for securing catalytic converters may sound costly, but if the device is stolen and not recovered, repairs can cost thousands.”

The most targeted vehicle models in Ventura County have been the Toyota Prius, Honda Element, Jeep Cherokee, and Ford 250 or 350 series. However, any vehicle with higher ground clearance allows thieves easier access to the catalytic converter.

Catalytic converters are attached to the exhaust system under your car. Thieves steal them for a quick profit at chop shops and recycling centers because of the various precious metals they contain.

To reduce the risk of becoming a victim of this type of crime, review the following crime prevention tips:

Park in a secured garage, in a well-lit driveway, or under a street light in front of your home.
Consider installing security cameras, like a Ring device, to oversee the driveway and on-street parking areas.
Research anti-theft devices to make your catalytic converter harder to remove or contact your local muffler shop to ask about installing preventative measures.

A community education and safety video about the increase in catalytic converter thefts is available for viewing on City of Ventura’s YouTube at https://youtu.be/sFSR950rxBA

Ventura Police Street Crimes Detectives are closely monitoring catalytic converter thefts and suspect information. If you see suspicious activity near your home, please call VPD’s 24/7 non-emergency line at 805-650-8010. To report a crime in-progress, call 9-1-1.