The San Jose Police Division introduced a brand new program Monday to allow auto restore outlets to color or etch figuring out data on a automotive’s catalytic converters in an effort to deal with the spike of thefts throughout the nation.
Beginning this month, three auto outlets will obtain etching gear offered by the San Jose Police Basis and may etch catalytic converters as part of common upkeep work, in accordance with a information launch.
“By etching figuring out data into catalytic converters, we'll give officers one other software for investigating these thefts and holding thieves accountable, and we'll defend our neighbors from the burden of an sudden and dear automotive restore,” mentioned Rob Fisher, president of the San Jose Police Basis.
Taking part companions embrace the Capitol Honda at 745 Capitol Expressway, Stevens Creek Toyota at 4201 Stevens Creek Boulevard and Speedee Midas at 1825 East Capitol Expressway.
This system follows a pointy enhance in reported thefts of catalytic converters, which include treasured metals, together with platinum, palladium or rhodium, and make a gas-powered engine’s internal-combustion emissions much less noxious. The metals have skyrocketed in worth as car-emissions requirements have tightened.
The San Jose Police Division concluded a six-month investigation in December that led to the arrests and felony fees for greater than a dozen folks, the closing of three scrap-metal outlets and the restoration of greater than 1,500 stolen converters. Fifteen folks have been arrested on suspicion of crimes together with grand theft, receiving stolen property, possessing unlawful weapons, and assault with a lethal weapon, police mentioned.
Catalytic converter thefts within the metropolis elevated from 84 in 2019 and 784 in 2020 to 1,087 final yr by way of Oct. 2021, a 1,200% enhance in lower than two years, in accordance with San Jose Police.
Thefts have been reported throughout the U.S., principally concentrating on older-model hybrid automobiles as a result of the converters are located in a approach that makes them simpler to entry with none limitations put in. Different converter-theft spikes have been reported final yr in San Leandro, Livermore, San Bruno and Santa Cruz.
Authorities mentioned any automobile made after 1974 could be focused for catalytic converter theft, however most frequently, vans and SUVS and lighter automobiles are extra inclined. The most typical areas for theft embrace driveways, streets, auto vendor heaps and parking heaps.
So as to forestall theft, police have suggested folks to park their automobiles inside a safe yard or storage, depart on exterior lights or set up movement detector lights in the event that they park their automotive exterior, set up a cage across the catalytic converter or further metallic on their exhaust system and get their license plate quantity etched on their catalytic converter.
Employees author Robert Salonga contributed to this report.