Full Notification

The following is a synopsis of crimes reported for the week of April 07, 2024 – April 13, 2024.         
 
April 7, 2024

• No significant activity.

 
April 8, 2024

• Grand Theft Auto:

1900 Block of Royal Oaks Drive. On April 8, 2024 between 3:14 AM and 6:43 AM, suspect(s) unknown stole the victim's parked vehicle, a white 2005 Nissan Titan. No surveillance video is available.
 
April 9, 2024

• No significant activity.

 
April 10, 2024

• Grand Theft Auto:

900 Block of Miltonwood Avenue. Between April 9, 2024 6 PM and April 10, 2024 6 AM, suspect(s) unknown stole the victim's parked vehicle, a grey 2018 Infiniti Q50.  No surveillance video is available.
 

• Grand Theft Auto:

1000 Block of Hurstview Avenue. On April 10, 2024 between 4 AM and 7:30 AM, suspect(s) unknown stole the victim's parked vehicle, a grey 2010 Infiniti G37. No surveillance video is available.
 
April 11, 2024

• Attempted Robbery (carjacking):

800 Block of Swiss Trails Road. On April 11, 2024 at 9:40 PM, the suspect, a male black adult 23 years old, wearing a red hoodie and dark colored pants, was walking around the location when the suspect reached inside the open window to a vehicle driving through the parking lot area in attempt to unlock it and get inside. The victim fled the area while calling “911”. The suspect then entered an open garage, where he contacted a second victim and pulled her out of her vehicle. The suspect entered the vehicle and attempted to start the engine, but the keys were inside the victim’s purse, which she had with her. The suspect proceeded to punch and kick the victim multiple times while the victim screamed for help. The suspect fled the garage where he was detained by responding deputies. 
 

• Grand Theft Auto:

2000 Block of Buena Vista Street. On April 11, 2024 between 1:43 AM and 7:19 AM, suspect(s) unknown stole the victim's parked vehicle, a white 2021 Toyota Rav4 LIC 9CJB528. No surveillance video is available.
 

• Petty Theft:

1602 Cinco Robles Drive. Between April 10, 2024 8 PM and April 11, 2024 9 AM, suspect(s) unknown entered the victim's unlocked vehicle, a white 2006 Jeep Cherokee, and stole the owner’s manual and vehicle registration. The loss was approximately $1. No surveillance video is available.
 
April 12, 2024

• No significant activity.

 
April 13, 2024

• No significant activity.

 
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 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.