Full Notification

Nature of Incident: Increase in Thefts of Catalytic Converters

Location: City of Thousand Oaks

Date & Time: February 11, 2021 @ 6 p.m.

Unit(s) Responsible:
Thousand Oaks Police Department - Intelligence Led Policing Unit and Thousand Oaks Detective Bureau

Narrative:
The City of Thousand Oaks and nearby areas are continuing to see an increase of catalytic converter thefts. The Thousand Oaks Police Department is asking for your assistance to report suspicious activity. By reporting suspicious activity, deputies can immediately respond and prevent or stop these thefts from occurring.

Catalytic converters are located underneath your vehicle and are used to reduce emissions from your vehicle’s engine. Once the converters are removed, the thieves recycle them for quick cash. Unfortunately for the victims in these crimes, the cost to replace the converter is far more than what the thieves get at the recycle center. The process for removing a catalytic converter only takes a few minutes and are most often done during the hours of darkness and are removed using a power saw. The most common vehicles targeted are the Toyota Prius, sport utility vehicles (SUV) and trucks.

Please report suspicious activity immediately by calling 9-1-1. For more information click on the video link: https://bit.ly/3jGhxvv

If your catalytic converter was stolen, you will notice the following:

A loud rumbling or roaring sound will emanate from the engine, which will increase in volume as you press the gas pedal.

The car will drive rough and feel like it’s sputtering while changing speeds.

If you check beneath the car from the back side, you will notice a gaping hole in the machinery, near the middle of the exhaust system, as well as pieces of torn-away piping.


Here are a few tips you can do to prevent and/or deter your catalytic converter from being stolen:

Park in well-lit areas.

Park close to building entrances or the nearest road in public parking lots. This leaves your car in a location where many people can see it.
If you have a personal garage, keep your car parked inside with the door shut.

Add video surveillance to the area where you regularly park your car.
Install a catalytic converter-specific security device, or have it welded to the car frame. You can also engrave your vehicles VIN# to the catalytic converter.

Adjust the security system on your car, if already installed, to activate from vibrations, such as those produced by a saw.

Prepared by: Senior Deputy Rob Brady

News Release Date: February 11, 2021

Media Follow-Up Contact:
Senior Deputy Rob Brady
(805) 947-8111
[email protected]

Approved by: Captain Don Aguilar


Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).