Full Notification

The following is a synopsis of crimes reported for the week of February 5, 2023 – February 11, 2023.
 
February 5, 2023

• No significant activity.

 
February 6, 2023

• Grand Theft:

1600 Mountain Avenue (Walmart). On February 6, 2023 at 1:36 PM, suspect unknown, a male Hispanic adult wearing a gray shirt and black pants, contacted a sales associate at the jeweler section. The suspect asked to see a ring, and upon receiving it from the employee, the suspect fled the location. The loss was approximately $1,300. Surveillance video is available.
 

• Grand Theft:

1800 Block of Earlington Avenue. Between February 3, 2023 9:00 AM and February 6, 2023 9:00 AM suspect(s) unknown stole the victim’s catalytic converter to his vehicle, a white 2011 Toyota Prius. The loss was approximately $3,000.
 

• Grand Theft:

1600 Block of Glenford Avenue. On February 6, 2023 at 3:08 AM, suspect(s) unknown stole the victim’s catalytic converter to his vehicle, a 2015 Nissan NV200. The loss was approximately $3,000. Surveillance video is available.
 

• Petty Theft:

1600 Mountain Avenue (Walmart). On February 6, 2023 at 7:44 PM, suspect unknown took the victim's purse that was left unattended at a self-checkout register at the location. The loss was approximately $250.  Surveillance video is available.
 

• Grand Theft Auto:

900 Block of Junipero Drive. On February 6, 2023 between 9:00 PM and 10:10 PM, suspect(s) unknown stole the victim's parked vehicle, a white 2014 Ford E150. No surveillance video is available.
 
February 7, 2023

• Burglary (Commercial):

910 Hamilton Road (El Picosito). Between February 6, 2023 10:00 PM and February 7, 2023 7:30 AM suspect(s) unknown shattered the front lower window and entered the location. Once inside, the suspect(s) ransacked the location and stole a metal locker containing $6,000.  Surveillance equipment at location however, the employee could not access it.

February 8, 2023

• Burglary (Commercial):

1850 Highland Avenue (Duarte City yard). Between February 7, 2023 10:00 PM and February 8, 2023 10:00 AM suspect(s) unknown pried open the iron gate and entered the location. Once inside, the suspect(s) broke into a locked storage container and stole electric tools valued at $1,100.
 
February 9, 2023

• No significant activity.

 
February 10, 2023

• Grand Theft:

1031 Central Avenue (Advantage Ford). On February 10, 2023 at 5:51 AM, suspect(s) unknown wearing dark clothing were observed on surveillance entering the location after hours and removing the tires from a 2022 ford Explorer. The loss was approximately 9,000. Surveillance video is available.
 
February 11, 2023

• Burglary (Vehicle):

800 Block of Junipero Drive. Between February 10, 2023 7:00 PM and February 11, 2023 9:00 AM suspect(s) unknown shattered the driver-side rear window of the victim’s vehicle, a 2011 Lexus RX350, while parked at the location. The suspect(s) stole his laptop bag behind the front seat. The loss was approximately $1,000. No surveillance video is available.
 

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 useful 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.