Full Notification

The following is a synopsis of crimes reported for the week of January 29, 2023 – February 04, 2023.        
 
January 29, 2023

• Robbery (Strong Arm):

2120 Mountain Avenue (Lena Valenzuela Park). On January 29, 2023 at 3 PM suspect(s) unknown two male Hispanic adults contacted the victim at the location and demanded he emptied his pockets. Fearing for his safety, the victim gave the suspects his iPhone 13 and fled the area. The loss was approximately $1050, and no surveillance video is available.
 

• Grand Theft:

1000 Block of Cotter Avenue. Between January 26, 2023 9:30 PM, and January 29, 2023 7:30 AM suspect(s) unknown stole the victim’s catalytic converter to his vehicle, a white 2017 Toyota Tacoma. The loss was approximately $3,500.
 

• Grand Theft:

988 Hamilton Road (IHOP). On January 29, 2023 between 6:30 PM and 8:10 PM, suspect(s) unknown stole the victim’s catalytic converter to his vehicle, a white 2021 Toyota Tacoma. The loss was approximately $3,000. 
 

• Grand Theft Auto:

1050 Huntington Drive (Target). On January 29, 2023 between 12:30 PM and 12:53 PM, suspect(s) unknown stole the victim's parked vehicle, a black 2022 Hyundai Sante Fe. The vehicle was left unlocked with keys inside. No surveillance video is available. The LAPD Newton division recovered the vehicle.
 
January 30, 2023

• Burglary (Vehicle):

1000 Block of Cotter Avenue. Between January 29, 2023 8:30 PM, and January 30, 2023 7:45 AM suspect(s) unknown entered the victim’s locked vehicle, a 1997 GMC Sonoma, while parked at the location. The suspect(s) stole the power tools he had behind the front seat. The loss was approximately $1,000, and there was no evidence of forced entry. No surveillance video is available.
 
January 31, 2023

• No significant activity.

 
February 1, 2023

• No significant activity.

 
February 2, 2023

• Burglary (Residential):

900 Block of Livermont Lane. On February 2, 2023 between 12:40 PM and 4:45 PM, suspect(s) unknown shattered the rear sliding glass door and entered the location. Once inside, the suspect(s) ransacked the location and stole unknown items. No surveillance video is available.
 

• Grand Theft Auto:

1600 Mountain Avenue (Walmart). Suspect(s) unknown stole the victim's parked vehicle, a white 2014 KIA Optima. No surveillance video is available.
 
February 3, 2023

• No significant activity.

 
February 4, 2023

• No significant activity.

The Appeal of Catalytic Converters 

The reason is the value of the metals used in the manufacturing of the catalytic converters. Catalytic converters contain platinum, rhodium, and palladium. The metals are expensive, and thieves sell the converters to scrap yards for several hundred dollars per piece, depending on the size of the converter and the current rate on the metals inside it. It can cost you, on average, up to $2000 to replace a catalytic converter, and it is illegal to drive your car without one. The resulting gap in your exhaust system also makes the car run poorly until fixed.

How to prevent a catalytic converter theft: 
Always park in well-lit areas when possible. If you have a personal garage, keep your car in the garage with the door closed when the vehicle is not in use. When parking in a public lot, park your vehicle close to a building entrance or the nearest access road. This is due to the increased amount of pedestrian traffic in those areas. Security devices are available that attach to the converter, making it harder to steal. Having the converter welded in place also makes it more difficult to remove. Video surveillance around your garage or driveway is also helpful if you have the budget for it. Engrave your vehicle identification number (VIN) or license plate onto your catalytic converter to make it easier to identify if it gets stolen.