The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station is slated to host a free catalytic converter etching event in partnership with Reeves Complete Auto Repair next Thursday to help protect Santa Clarita Valley residents from recent catalytic converter thefts.
To address recent catalytic converter thefts, Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station has scheduled a free catalytic converter etching event in collaboration with Reeves Complete Auto Repair for Thursday, March 25.
Sheriff’s station officials tell residents to “(help) #GuardThatAuto by getting your license plate etched onto your catalytic converter. Doing so helps deputies locate its original owner in the event it is stolen and recovered.”
According to Deputy Natalie Arriaga, spokesperson for the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, the theft of catalytic converters has been growing throughout 2020, with a 400 percent increase throughout Los Angeles County, and a significant increase in the Santa Clarita Valley as well.
On Wednesday, March 10, search warrants were served at four different locations, which led to 19 individuals arrested, 250 catalytic converters recovered, valued at an estimated total of $750,000, as well as a “ghost” handgun and approximately $100,000 seized.
See Related: How To Avoid Catalytic Converter Theft In Santa Clarita (VIDEO)
Many law enforcement partners and resources were used to promote the operation, such as the Century Sheriff’s Station, Walnut Sheriff’s Station Major Crimes Bureau, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
The theft of catalytic converters can be attributed to their use and location, as they are attached to a car’s exhaust system, and targeted because they contain precious metals and can be “scrapped” for a quick profit, according to Deputy Arriaga.
In addition to the #GuardThatAuto Campaign, Sheriff’s officials recommend the following ways to help to prevent becoming the next victim of theft.
- Park in well-lit areas with surveillance cameras
- Weld the bolts on the catalytic converter shut
- Engrave or etch the license plate number onto your catalytic converter
- Always report suspicious activity — If you see something, say something
This event is offered to Santa Clarita Valley residents by appointment, with limited availability, based on a first-come, first-serve basis. To book an appointment or to learn more, residents are encouraged to contact Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station Deputy Borbon of Community Relations at ka1borbo@lasd.org.
If you have any information regarding the theft of catalytic converters, contact the Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station at 661-255-1121. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through “LA Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or send an email to newstip@hometownstation.com. Don’t miss a thing. Get breaking KHTS Santa Clarita News Alerts delivered right to your inbox. Report a typo or error, email Corrections@hometownstation.com
KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
No comments:
Post a Comment