Theft of catalytic converters has been a growing trend in 2020, with a 400% increase throughout Los Angeles County, and a significant increase in the Santa Clarita Valley as well. Catalytic converters are attached to the exhaust system of a vehicle. They contain precious metals and can be “scrapped” for quick profit. In a proactive approach to lower catalytic converter theft, the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station Crime Impact Team led a search warrant operation on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, centered in the city of Los Angeles. After countless hours of follow-up investigation, multiple locations within the city were believed to be related to thefts occurring in the Santa Clarita Valley, as well as several Los Angeles County areas.
Numerous resources and law enforcement partners assisted with the operation including; Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station Detective Bureau and Special Teams, Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station, Century Sheriff’s Station, Walnut Sheriff’s Station, Major Crimes Bureau, Los Angeles County Probation, Aero Bureau, Task Force for Regional Automobile Theft Prevention, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau. Search warrants were served at 4 different locations, which resulted in: 19 individuals arrested, 250 catalytic converters recovered, valued at an estimated total of $750,000, as well as 1 “ghost” handgun, and approximately $100,000 seized. At this time, the investigation is still ongoing and recent victims are encouraged to contact the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station Detective Bureau.
We recommend the following ways to help prevent you from becoming a victim of theft:
- Park in well-lit areas with surveillance cameras
- Weld the bolts on your catalytic converter shut
- Engrave or etch the license plate number onto your catalytic converter
- Always report suspicious activity – If you see something, say something
The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station has partnered with the city of Santa Clarita and launched “Guard That Auto” campaign to combat the increase in grand theft auto and catalytic converter thefts.The campaign educates the community regarding safety tips on how to keep your vehicle and its contents safe.
If you have any information regarding the theft of catalytic converters, please contact the Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station at 661-255-1121. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through “LA Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or on www.LACrimeStoppers.org.
Sent by: Natalie Arriaga, Public Information Officer
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station
(661) 255-1121
Twitter @SCVSheriff- http://www.twitter.com/scvsheriff
SCV Station Homepage - http://www.santaclarita.lasd.org
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Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station polices the City of Santa Clarita and the unincorporated communities and a portion of the Angeles National Forest, as well as Bouquet Canyon, Canyon Country, Castaic, Gorman, Hasley Canyon, Newhall, Neenach, Sand Canyon, Santa Clarita, Saugus, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Sleepy Valley, Southern Oaks, Stevenson Ranch, Sunset Point, Tesoro del Valle, Valencia, Val Verde, West Hills and West Ranch.
Sheriff’s Information Bureau – Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
Hall of Justice - First floor
211 W. Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-229-1700
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Alex Villanueva, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
Address/Location
LASD - Santa Clarita Valley Station, Los Angeles County Sheriff
23740 Magic Mountain Pkwy
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 661-255-1121
Address/Location
LASD - Santa Clarita Valley Station, Los Angeles County Sheriff
23740 Magic Mountain Pkwy
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 661-255-1121
Address/Location
LASD - Santa Clarita Valley Station, Los Angeles County Sheriff
23740 Magic Mountain Pkwy
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 661-255-1121
Address/Location
LASD - Santa Clarita Valley Station, Los Angeles County Sheriff
23740 Magic Mountain Pkwy
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 661-255-1121
