Full Notification

The following is a synopsis of crimes reported for the week of March 31, 2024 – April 6, 2024.        
 
March 31, 2024

• No significant activity.

 
April 1, 2024

• No significant activity.

 
April 2, 2024

• No significant activity.

 
April 3, 2024

• Robbery (Strong Arm):

1000 Block of Mount Olive Drive. On April 3, 2024 at 4:15 PM, the suspect, a 34 year old male adult, was at the location asking his father for money. When the victim refused to give his son money, the suspect became upset and pushed his father with both hands causing him to fall to the ground. The suspect got on top of his father and pinned him to the ground. The suspect’s wife attempted to intervene, and the suspect pushed her. The victim's both attempted to call “911” from their phones and the suspect proceeded to take away their phones. The suspect fled the location with both victim’s phones. No surveillance video is available. 
 

• Petty Theft:

1500 Block of Las Posadas Drive. On April 3, 2024 at 8:30 AM, the suspect a male Hispanic adult wearing black clothing was observed by the victim taking his “Shindaiwa” weed eater from the bed of his truck. The suspect entered an older model black Jeep Cherokee and fled eastbound on Huntington Drive. The loss was approximately $600. No surveillance video is available.
 
April 4, 2024

• Robbery (Armed):

1164 Huntington Drive (El Canton De La Patrona). On April 4, 2024 at 9 PM, the victim was walking away from the location when three male hispanic adults, wearing dark clothing, approached the victim and pointed handguns at the victim demanding his property. The suspects physically assaulted the victim and forcibly took his cell phone, watch, and wallet. The suspects fled the location and entered a newer black 4 door possible Honda eastbound on Huntington Drive and out of view. The loss was approximately $5,800. A possible surveillance video is available. 
 
April 5, 2024

• Grand Theft Auto:

Second Street and Cotter Avenue. Between April 4, 2024 9 PM and April 5, 2024 5 AM, suspect(s) unknown stole the victim's parked vehicle. a black 2019 Dodge Challenger. No surveillance video is available.
 
April 6, 2024

• Grand Theft Auto:

1300 Block of Maynard Drive. On April 6, 2024 between 7 PM and 8:40 PM, suspect(s) unknown stole the victim's parked vehicle, a black 2019 Ford Expedition. No surveillance video is available.
             
The appeal 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 $2,000 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 it is 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. Park your vehicle close to a building entrance or the nearest access road when parking in a public lot. 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.