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Two men were arrested early Wednesday morning after stealing a catalytic converter in Larkspur.

On Wednesday, June 17 at 2:45 a.m. a resident on Riviera Circle called 9-1-1 and reported that the catalytic converter had just been stolen from his car while it was parked in his driveway. The victim gave a description of the suspect vehicle, a silver Honda CRV, and officers stopped the vehicle a short distance away on Wornum Drive. Several catalytic converters, a floor jack, exhaust and tailpipe cutters, and various other tools could be seen in the cargo area of the Honda. The victim identified the Honda as the car he saw speeding away from his home and both the driver and passenger were taken into custody.

Nyiaj Lee, age 31, and Toualong Vang, age 34, both Sacramento residents, were booked at Marin County Jail for possession of stolen property, possession of burglary tools, and conspiracy. The investigation is continuing as both suspects may be involved in a series of catalytic converter thefts in the Bay Area.

Thefts of catalytic converters are on the rise throughout the state. A catalytic converter is part of a vehicle’s exhaust system and looks similar to a small muffler. They are valuable to thieves because they contain recyclable precious metals that can be easily sold for a quick profit. The Toyota Prius and other Toyota models are prime targets, although other makes and models can be targeted as well. Trucks and SUVs are vulnerable because the higher clearance allows a thief easier access underneath the vehicle. Replacement of a catalytic converter is costly and can run between $2500 and $3500. The best way to protect your car is by parking in a garage or secure yard at home, but parking in a well-lit area or a driveway with motion detector lighting may also be a deterrent. Muffler shops offer catalytic converter protection devices which clamp around the converter, or the bolts securing the converter can be welded to the exhaust system.