Costa Mesa is hunting for thieves that convert catalysts with bait cars – Orange County Register

Costa Mesa Police Face Catalytic Conversion Thieves: We’re Waiting For You.

With such thefts doubling in the city in a year, Costa Mesa police have set up decoy cars throughout the city – tracked by undercover cops.

Don’t say the police didn’t warn the thieves.

“CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFTS,” two flashing electronic signs for motorists, one at Newport Boulevard and Fair Drive in the east of the city, and the other at Adams Avenue and Albatross Drive across town. Then they flashed: “CAR BAIT IN THE AREA.”

In 2020, there were 115 catalytic converter thefts reported. Last year, there were 318. Costa Mesa’s problem is in Southern California, especially during a pandemic.

“Which cars? Where? We will not say. Just know we’re monitoring the area,” the Sheriff’s Department said with a Facebook post announcing the operation, which begins Thursday, January 13.

“With the bulletin board, we wanted to let the community know that we are taking this seriously and hopefully it can deter some crime,” said Captain Joyce LaPointe. “They know (the bait cars) are out there and they may be riding in a vehicle that has been observed by the police.”

Costa Mesa police arrested 16 suspects in connection with last year’s catalytic converter theft, according to spokeswoman Roxi Fyad.

City officials did not disclose details of the operation. They won’t say how many bait cars there are, only that they are being watched by officers and can be tracked somehow.

Other agencies have used decoy programs to deter car thieves. Anaheim police have set up bait boxes with GPS tracking devices to track down porch pirates.

In November, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach and Newport Beach police held an event in Surf City where 130 vehicle owners had catalytic converters engraved with license plates. Police were able to return an engraved catalytic converter to its owner after it was found, Costa Mesa Police Chief Ron Lawrence said.

Catalytic converters are coveted by thieves because they contain a honeycomb structure coated with precious metals such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium, which can make criminals hundreds of dollars at a metal recycling company. type for each pcs.

Among the types targeted, Captain LaPointe said, were Toyota Prius, Honda, GMC trucks and old-fashioned Toyota trucks. Some vehicle converters contain more precious metals than others, while some trucks are easier to get under.

The captain advises vehicle owners to park their vehicles in garages, or well-lit areas with surveillance cameras. There are also anti-theft devices on the market.

Gary Frahm, general manager at ExperTec Automotive, an auto repair shop in Huntington Beach, says catalytic converter repairs can range from $450 to $3,000.

Suspects arrested on suspicion of stealing a catalytic converter can face charges of grand theft, conspiracy to commit grand theft and vandalism of more than $950, all of which are felonies, Kimberly Edds, a spokeswoman for the Orange County District Attorney’s Office said. She added that fees can vary on a case-by-case basis.

Costa Mesa, with its electronic signs, is warning more than catalytic converter thieves.

“We want criminals to think that anything out there that looks appealing for them to steal could be part of our decoy program,” said Sheriff Lawrence.