On Thursday, after a recent increase in catalytic converter thefts in the Santa Clarita area, the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station (SCV Sheriff) hosted an event in partnership with Reeves Complete Auto Repair to help curb the thefts.

During the free event on March 25, nine cars were able to visit Reeves Complete Auto Repair in Santa Clarita to get the sheriff’s logo spray painted and the license plate number of each car etched onto its catalytic converter to help prevent theft.

“We know it’s a problem not only here in Santa Clarita but countywide at our other sheriff’s stations,” said Captain Justin Diez of the SCV Sheriff.

Theft of catalytic converters has been a growing trend in 2020, with a 400 percent increase throughout Los Angeles County, and a significant increase in the Santa Clarita Valley as well, according to officials.

Catalytic converters are attached to a car’s exhaust system, and are targeted because they contain precious metals and can be “scrapped” for a quick profit, according to representatives.

Diez says the purpose of spray painting the sheriff’s logo on catalytic converters, or ‘cats,’ is to prevent theft. On the other hand, etching the license plate number onto the ‘cats’ is to help identify the owner of parts if they are stolen, according to Diez.

“The problem is that when a catalytic converter is stolen and we catch a thief or a suspect with catalytic converters, it’s very difficult to tell where the catalytic converter came from,” said Diez. “We figured if we can engrave the actual license plate in the catalytic converter, once the catalytic converter is recovered, we can identify the victim and then prosecute the suspect.”

The Santa Clarita community has reacted positively to the labeling event, said Dave Reeves of Reeves Complete Auto Repair and Service Center.

“The feedback is crazy,” commented Reeves. “I haven’t had any personal phone calls, but I hear the feedback all over the city.”

Those who missed Thursday’s etching event might still be able to attend one in the future.

Etching events are set to take place every fourth Thursday of the month indefinitely, explained Reeves.

According to Reeves and Diez, Canyons Muffler, a shop close to Reeves Complete Auto Repair, is also slated to offer etching on the fourth Wednesday of each month starting in April.

Diez mentioned he hopes more auto repair shops in the Santa Clarita area will hold etching events, taking inspiration from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department. Diez said the Moorpark station has partnered with several businesses in that area for their etching events.

“At some point, sooner rather than later in the coming months we’d like to expand and have something similar set up,” added Diez.

In the meantime, Sheriff’s officials recommend parking in well-lit areas with surveillance cameras, welding catalytic converter bolts shut, and reporting suspicious activity.

“We really just want to be a part of the solution in trying to deter thieves and let people know that we are battling it here,” explained Diez. “We are aware of it here and we’re going to do everything we can to prosecute any suspects stealing catalytic converters.”

For updates on future etching events, visit the SCV Sheriff Twitter.

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