Careful with Your Cat!

Got a Toyota 4Runner? Sleep With One Eye Open
Police are asking residents help to them curb a wave of catalytic converter thefts during the wee hours.
By Jenna Zwang and Diane Garrett | Email the authors | August 17, 2010

Watch out Redondo 4Runner owners: Thieves are after your catalytic converters.

According to the Redondo Beach Police Department, 23 catalytic converters have been stolen from Toyota 4Runner SUVs and Tacoma trucks in the city since July 26. Six were stolen between Aug. 10 and Aug. 14; earlier this month, one unlucky resident in the 1500 block of Steinhart Avenue had two catalytic converters stolen from his lookalike Toyota 4Runners overnight.

The police department is urging residents to report it if they see suspicious persons loitering around these vehicles. According to police, in several instances residents heard dogs barking, noises under or near vehicles or saw persons loitering near the vehicles during early morning hours and failed to call the police.

Thieves target catalytic converters for the small amount of platinum in them. They then sell the parts for scrap in a thriving aftermarket. They apparently favor Toyota 4Runner SUVs and Tacoma trucks for the ample amount of maneuver room under the vehicles and the amount of platinum in them. Replacing the parts can cost $500 to $1,000.

The latest string of thefts all occurred in the northern portion of the city. On Aug. 10, officers responded to a resident's report that their catalytic converter had been stolen from their vehicle parked outside their home in the 1900 block of Nelson Avenue. Another catalytic converter was reported stolen from a Toyota 4Runner vehicle at the 1900 block of Mathews Avenue, also overnight.

Two days later, officers responded to a report of catalytic converter theft from a Toyota 4Runner parked in a driveway of the 1700 block of Harper Avenue. On Aug. 14, three more catalytic converters were reported stolen overnight from Toyota vehicles, one each in the 2800 block and 2500 block of Spreckles Lane, and another in the 2400 block of Hadley Lane.

Redondo Beach police previously reported a string of catalytic converters from vehicles in both North and South Redondo Beach.

 

i read the whole thing waiting for something about cats, like the animal

 

ahah same here !

 

Is this happening in other parts of the country?

 

Yep. Huge problem. Mostly 1st gen and earlier Tacomas and 4Runners. 2nd gens not so much.

 

That is soooo messed up!