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Oct 16, 2023

Kern County Sheriff's Office, Kern River Automotive offering catalytic converter etching as 'preventive measure for theft'

Technician points to weak cutting point that thieves can exploit to quickly

Technician points to weak cutting point that thieves can exploit to quickly steal a catalytic converter | police.unm.edu/

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Technician points to weak cutting point that thieves can exploit to quickly steal a catalytic converter | police.unm.edu/

A catalytic converter etching event is being held in the Kern River Valley on May 6.

The event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at Kern River Automotive located at 5448 Lake Isabella Boulevard in Lake Isabella.

"On Saturday, May 6th, the Kern County Sheriff's Office is partnering with Kern River Automotive to provide FREE Catalytic Converter Etching as a preventive measure for theft. An appointment is required. To sign up, please follow this link," the Kern County Sheriff's Office said in a social media post.

From January through April 1 there were 255 reports of catalytic converters being stolen in Bakersfield alone, according to a story in Bakersfield.com.

California has one of the highest rates of catalytic converter theft in the country. Vehicle repair costs between $1,000 and $4,000 after theft. Toyotas and Hondas are targeted more often due to higher amounts of rhodium in the units. Asm. Jasmeet Bains (D-Delano) has filed bill AB 1519 which would make it illegal to remove vehicle identification numbers from catalytic converters.

"Marking your catalytic converter with your vehicle's VIN is recommended by law enforcement as a way to protect your vehicle, and it also lets law enforcement trace the converter back to your vehicle to help establish guilt as well," Bains told ABC23.

The California General Assembly passed two other bills earlier this year aimed at curbing thefts. SB 1087 and AB 1740, prohibit the purchase of detached catalytic converters unless the seller is able to present proof of ownership. The laws also create punishments for individuals who attempt to sell stolen converters.

Individuals found guilty of stealing a converter will be charged with a misdemeanor and may be held liable for a $1,000 fine for first-time offenders. Repeat offenders may be fined $2,000 or more, according to ABC23's report.

With the new laws, there were only more than 30 thefts reported from January to March of this year.

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Crime & Courts

Crime & Courts

Crime & Courts

Crime & Courts

Crime & Courts