CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFT – Add Your VIN Number

Recently, two Snohomish County law enforcement agencies have placed an emphasis in the current trend of catalytic converter theft. The Everett Police Department hosted its second free catalytic converter engraving event. And the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office shared prevention tips for protection of catalytic converters on social media.

There have been many suggestions to protect catalytic converters circulating over the past few years. Have a cage of a hard material that is difficult to cut installed over the converter. Set an alarm or camera to sound off or take video when burglars jiggle your car. Park your car in your garage if you can and when parking when you shop or go to work, park in a well-lit, busy area of the parking lot.  

Some critics complain that the prevention tips are ineffective. Preventing catalytic converter theft has proven to be difficult. It only takes simple, hand-held battery-operated tools to cut out the converter in seconds. The suggestions, however, should help take away an opportunity for the thieves to take your converter or at least slow them down.

But, if they are able to cut out your converter, then there is no way prove that it was stolen. That is where the idea of engraving your vehicle’s VIN on it comes in. Police often encounter stolen property but cannot prove that it is stolen or cannot return it to the rightful owner. Engraving certain items such as tools or electronics is a long-time technique that police have suggested to citizens. By engraving an identification number or symbol on valuable piece of equipment you help the Sheriff’s Office make a criminal case.

While our vehicles’ VINs are placed in different places on our vehicles, no one thought that it would need to be placed on a catalytic converter. But doing so might help deputies apprehend a catalytic converter thief.

 

 

Everett Police Department:

https://everettwa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/28641/Catalytic-Converters-Theft-Prevention-V2