After a months-long investigation, multiple police and sheriff departments in California confiscated 56 stolen catalytic converters and issued 10 citations totaling $56,000 in possible fines.
The Hemet Police Department, who was a part of "Operation Undercarriage", posted on Facebook about the raid, saying the group identified businesses conducting unlicensed auto dismantling, auto repair and catalytic converter recycling. Some were found to be purchasing illegally-obtained catalytic converters. The operation also resulted in four unlicensed dismantlers identified, two unlicensed auto repair facilities located, and three repair businesses in violation of state record-keeping laws.
Businesses were also educated on Catalytic Converter/Metal Theft Laws (21610 BPC, 21606 BPC, 21608.5 BPC and 21609 BPC) and the need to maintain written records such as place/date of sale and the name/ID of catalytic converter sellers.
In an unrelated report, The Eagle in Texas reported the College Station Police Department is seeing an increase in catalytic converter thefts over the past year. These devices are attractive to thieves because they include metals like platinum, palladium and rhodium that can be sold to recyclers for up to $1,600, The Eagle reported. Plus, the job can be done quickly by simply cutting the pipe that holds the converter in place and can be done in a matter of minutes.
Sean Hawthorne, the owner of The Pool Guy in College Station, told The Eagle that his entire fleet of about 15 vehicles was hit in single night, a loss of about $50,000.
In response to the increase in thefts, the Texas government made it a felony in September to steal, sell, or buy stolen catalytic converters, although thieves still find ways to sell them on the black market.
