Slots are still available for a free event Saturday aimed at preventing the theft of catalytic converters from certain Toyota vehicles.

Since the beginning of this year, the Davis Police Department has received 38 reports of thefts of catalytic converters — a device in a vehicle’s undercarriage that reduces smog emissions.

Most of the thefts have occurred in West Davis, with 1990s-model Toyota trucks and sport-utility vehicles being the most frequent targets.

“Not only do these numbers represent a sharp increase in this particular type of theft compared to last year, but they also suggest the likelihood for continued or repeat victimization as the price for precious metals found in catalytic converters continues to rise,” says a Davis Police Department news release.

In an effort to reduce the thefts and make recovery efforts more effective, the Davis Police Department, in cooperation with Davis Muffler & Hitch, is offering free etching of license or vehicle-identification numbers on catalytic converters Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Called “Operation Cat Scratch,” the service is offered to people who live or work in the city of Davis, and who own 1999-2002 model Toyota pickups, Tacomas and 4Runners.

Appointments are recommended for the etching service, which will take place at Davis Muffler & Hitch, 2613 Second St. The business is donating its employees’ time and labor to the event.

The Police Department also will be urging local scrap dealers to report the recycling of etched converters to their local law-enforcement agency.

For more information about “Operation Cat Scratch,” or to make an appointment, call the Davis Police Department’s Community Oriented Policing Unit at (530) 747-5411.

Based on the theft reports received this year, police believe the thieves are removing the converters with a reciprocating saw or screwdriver — a process that takes less than a minute.

The converters are then recycled for about $200. Victims, meanwhile, are left spending anywhere from $600 to $2,000 to replace the part.

“Operation Cat Scratch” stems from a similar program introduced several years ago by the El Segundo Police Department. Since then, the service has been offered by several other California law-enforcement agencies.

catalyticW

Jay Aziz, owner of Davis Muffler and Hitch, replaces a catalytic converter on a 1991 Toyota pickup truck after its device was stolen, in this 2007 photo. Davis police report another rash of such thefts in recent months. Greg Rihl/Enterprise file photo

Comments

comments