The following businesses are showing their support for the Rocklin Police Department, the City of Rocklin, and our community by partnering with the Rocklin Police Department's catalytic converter etching program.
Stop by any of the locations listed below for your next service and have your catalytic converter etched for FREE.
Additional locations will be added soon.
FIVE STAR AUTO CARE - Rocklin
6818 Five Star Bl
Rocklin, California 95677
(916) 315-0555
RED SUN AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR - Rocklin
6041 Pacific St
Rocklin, California 95677
(916) 367-3416
ROCKLIN TRANSMISSION - Rocklin
5480 Pacific St
Rocklin, California 95677
(916) 824-2650
SPEEDEE OIL CHANGE AND AUTO SERVICE - Rocklin
5490 Pacific St
Rocklin, California, 95677
(916) 632-8495
MAS - My Auto Surgeon - Rocklin
1151 West Sunset Bl
Rocklin, California 95765
(916) 543-2105
MAS - My Auto Surgeon - Roseville
900 Atlantic St
Roseville, California 95768
(916) 474-4050
CAMPING WORLD - Rocklin
4435 Granite Dr
Rocklin, California 95677
(800) 437-5332
PEP BOYS - Rocklin
5880 Pacific St #155
Rocklin, California 95677
(916) 625-0260
ROCKLIN AUTO CENTER - Rocklin
5880 Pacific St #100
Rocklin, California 95677
(916) 500-1559
A&B GERMAN CAR CARE - Rocklin
5820 Pacific St #115
Rocklin, California 95677
(916) 672-6199
6818 Five Star Bl
Rocklin, California 95677
(916) 315-0555
RED SUN AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR - Rocklin
6041 Pacific St
Rocklin, California 95677
(916) 367-3416
ROCKLIN TRANSMISSION - Rocklin
5480 Pacific St
Rocklin, California 95677
(916) 824-2650
SPEEDEE OIL CHANGE AND AUTO SERVICE - Rocklin
5490 Pacific St
Rocklin, California, 95677
(916) 632-8495
MAS - My Auto Surgeon - Rocklin
1151 West Sunset Bl
Rocklin, California 95765
(916) 543-2105
MAS - My Auto Surgeon - Roseville
900 Atlantic St
Roseville, California 95768
(916) 474-4050
CAMPING WORLD - Rocklin
4435 Granite Dr
Rocklin, California 95677
(800) 437-5332
PEP BOYS - Rocklin
5880 Pacific St #155
Rocklin, California 95677
(916) 625-0260
ROCKLIN AUTO CENTER - Rocklin
5880 Pacific St #100
Rocklin, California 95677
(916) 500-1559
A&B GERMAN CAR CARE - Rocklin
5820 Pacific St #115
Rocklin, California 95677
(916) 672-6199
City of Rocklin Catalytic Converter Thefts (by make, model, location, and date/time) from 11-1-21 through April 14, 2022
Click on the following links to see how quickly your catalytic converter can be stolen. Permission was granted by the owner of this video to post.
| 4de0695b-f805-4753-a817-fff327f932e6.mp4 |
|
| ||
| 0c6a4eef-68f7-4079-8f11-f88bd65192d7.mp4 |
Some information you might find interesting...
WHAT IS A CATLYTIC CONVERTER?
A Catalytic Converter is a part of the vehicle’s exhaust system and it helps reduce vehicle pollution. Catalytic Converters are located under a vehicle on the exhaust pipe, before the muffler(s). Catalytic converters are usually used with internal combustion engines fueled by gasoline or diesel fuel. Catalytic Converters, with copper, platinum, and other metals inside, have become a hot commodity for thieves to steal. Catalytic Converter theft has become popular because of their value, relative ease to steal (unbolt or cut out), and their lack of identifying markings (serial numbers, colors, and Owner Applied Numbers). The lack of identification makes it difficult to law enforcement to identify victims and successfully apprehend and prosecute criminals.
WHAT VEHICLES HAVE A CATALYTIC CONVERTER?
Any gas or diesel powered/low emission vehicle manufactured after 1974 have catalytic converters. Some vehicle’s catalytic converters are harder to access, but they all have at least one.
WHY WOULD A THIEF STEAL A CATALYTIC CONVERTER?
Thieves take the stolen Catalytic Converters to metal recyclers. The recyclers pay an average of $75-$150.00 per converter because of the precious metals inside. Victims pay an average of $1000 (or an average $250/$500 insurance deductible) to get the catalytic converter(s) replaced. In some cases, a victim will pay $4,000-$5,000 just for the replacement catalytic converter.
Besides the precious/valuable metals inside the catalytic converter, catalytic converters are stolen because they are unidentifiable, once they are removed from your vehicle. They do not have a serial number or a specific color that would determine your stolen catalytic converter was taken from your vehicle and there is no distinguishable difference from anyone else’s catalytic converter.
WHAT VEHICLES ARE TARGETED BY CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEIVES?
Any GAS POWERED/LOW EMISSION vehicle manufactured after 1974 can be a target. However, Trucks and SUV s (Sports Utility Vehicles) are the vehicles they target the most. They prefer Trucks and SUV’s, because they are higher off the ground and easier to crawl under. Toyota Trucks and SUVs in the 90’s to the late 2000’s are especially vulnerable because the Catalytic Converters are more exposed than the average converter. The thieves can quickly unbolt/cut out the converter in minutes. Some of the larger Toyota Trucks and SUV’s have 2-4 Catalytic Converters as well. Recently, the trend has been to steal catalytic converters from Toyota Prius vehicles.
COMMON PLACES WHERE CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFT OCCURS?
CAN I PREVENT A CATALYTIC CONVERTER FROM BEING STOLEN?
NO. The phrase where there is a will, there is a way is applicable here. However, there are ways to deter a thief from stealing you catalytic converter.
WHAT IF YOUR CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS STOLEN?
WHAT IS THE ROCKLIN POLICE DEPARTMENT DOING TO COMBAT CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFT?
The Rocklin Police Department is collaborating with local businesses to provide free etching and painting of your catalytic converter. Go to a participating business and with any paid service that requires your vehicle to be lifted on a rack, you can request to have your catalytic converter etched with your vehicle’s license plate number and painted with a high heat, bright white colored spray paint FOR FREE.
WHAT IS A CATLYTIC CONVERTER?
A Catalytic Converter is a part of the vehicle’s exhaust system and it helps reduce vehicle pollution. Catalytic Converters are located under a vehicle on the exhaust pipe, before the muffler(s). Catalytic converters are usually used with internal combustion engines fueled by gasoline or diesel fuel. Catalytic Converters, with copper, platinum, and other metals inside, have become a hot commodity for thieves to steal. Catalytic Converter theft has become popular because of their value, relative ease to steal (unbolt or cut out), and their lack of identifying markings (serial numbers, colors, and Owner Applied Numbers). The lack of identification makes it difficult to law enforcement to identify victims and successfully apprehend and prosecute criminals.
WHAT VEHICLES HAVE A CATALYTIC CONVERTER?
Any gas or diesel powered/low emission vehicle manufactured after 1974 have catalytic converters. Some vehicle’s catalytic converters are harder to access, but they all have at least one.
WHY WOULD A THIEF STEAL A CATALYTIC CONVERTER?
Thieves take the stolen Catalytic Converters to metal recyclers. The recyclers pay an average of $75-$150.00 per converter because of the precious metals inside. Victims pay an average of $1000 (or an average $250/$500 insurance deductible) to get the catalytic converter(s) replaced. In some cases, a victim will pay $4,000-$5,000 just for the replacement catalytic converter.
Besides the precious/valuable metals inside the catalytic converter, catalytic converters are stolen because they are unidentifiable, once they are removed from your vehicle. They do not have a serial number or a specific color that would determine your stolen catalytic converter was taken from your vehicle and there is no distinguishable difference from anyone else’s catalytic converter.
WHAT VEHICLES ARE TARGETED BY CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEIVES?
Any GAS POWERED/LOW EMISSION vehicle manufactured after 1974 can be a target. However, Trucks and SUV s (Sports Utility Vehicles) are the vehicles they target the most. They prefer Trucks and SUV’s, because they are higher off the ground and easier to crawl under. Toyota Trucks and SUVs in the 90’s to the late 2000’s are especially vulnerable because the Catalytic Converters are more exposed than the average converter. The thieves can quickly unbolt/cut out the converter in minutes. Some of the larger Toyota Trucks and SUV’s have 2-4 Catalytic Converters as well. Recently, the trend has been to steal catalytic converters from Toyota Prius vehicles.
COMMON PLACES WHERE CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFT OCCURS?
- YOUR HOME DRIVE DRIVEWAY OR THE STREET IN FRONT OF YOUR HOME.
- LARGE PARKING LOTS WHERE YOU ARE EXPECTED TO BE AWAY FROM YOUR VEHICLE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, examples include, but are not limited to:
- Shopping malls
- Churches
- Movie Theaters
- Park n Ride
- Long term parking at airports, trains stations, etc
- College campuses
- AUTO DEALERSHIP LOTS
- SEMI-TRUCK TRANSPORT TRAILERS
- FENCED YARDS OF BUSINESSES THAT ARE CLOSED FOR WEEKENDS/HOLIDAYS
CAN I PREVENT A CATALYTIC CONVERTER FROM BEING STOLEN?
NO. The phrase where there is a will, there is a way is applicable here. However, there are ways to deter a thief from stealing you catalytic converter.
- PARK YOUR VEHICLE IN A SECURE AREA, SUCH AS YOUR GARAGE, SECURE PARKING GARAGE, OR OTHER WELL LIT AREA.
- If you must park your vehicle in the driveway, motion detector lights or continuous lights illuminating your driveway may be a deterrent.
- Video surveillance cameras can serve as a deterrent.
- Getting a vehicle motion detector alarm might help.
- ETCH YOUR CATALYTIC CONVERTER.
- Etch your catalytic converter. By etching the license plate number (also known as an Owner Applied Number – OAN) for your vehicle onto the catalytic converter, the catalytic converter will always be associated with your vehicle. Even if you change the license plate number to your vehicle to a personalized license plate, the old plate number will be associated with your vehicle.
- An OAN is like applying your own personal serial number to an item, in this case, a catalytic converter. If your catalytic converter is stolen, you can advise the officer of the OAN and your stolen property can now be entered into a statewide database for stolen property. Without a serial number or OAN, the property is unidentifiable and locating a victim and/or successfully prosecuting a thief is nearly impossible.
- Etching / spray-painting your catalytic converter in a manner that is highly visible to a thief is probably the least expensive way to deter a theft.
- PAINT YOUR CATALYTIC CONVERTER.
- Spray-painting your catalytic converter with a high heat high visibility colored paint will make it more difficult for a thief to sell.
- It will be much easier for a police officer to spot and begin an investigation.
- WELD A PIECE OF REBAR ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. This will not prevent the theft from occurring, if the thief has the right tools for the job. However, it make it more difficult for the thief to steal. If the thief does not have the proper tool, then they will not be able to steal it at that time and they will move on to another vehicle that is not protected.
- APPLY AN AFTERMARKET THEFT DETERRENCE CAGE. Again, this will not prevent the theft from occurring. This can be expensive and the cage can still be defeated with the proper tools.
- SPOT WELD ANY BOLTS THAT ATTACH A CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. Most catalytic converters are connected to the exhaust system in an area that is difficult to reach. Thus, thieves cut the catalytic converters and remove them from the vehicle. However, there are some brands of vehicles where the bolts are exposed. These vehicles also commonly have plenty of room under the vehicle for a thief to access the bolts and steal the catalytic converter without having to cut it. It is not uncommon for a victim with this type of vehicle to find their catalytic converter missing and the bolts laying on the ground, under the vehicle.
- BE VIGILANT AND LOOK OUT FOR SUSPICIOUS PEOPLE AND VEHICLES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND AT YOUR PLACE OF WORK
- Look for suspicious people and vehicles in your neighborhood.
- If you see a suspicious person under a vehicle, chances are they are attempting to steal the Catalytic Converter.
- Get the suspect(s) and/or suspect vehicle descriptions if possible. Write down the license plate of a suspicious vehicle if you can safely.
- If the crime is in progress, call 911.
- If the crime is not in progress, call our local police department, non-emergency number the information.
- WORK WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS AND LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER
- Educate your friends and neighbors about Catalytic Converter theft so they can be a look-out too.
WHAT IF YOUR CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS STOLEN?
- If your Catalytic Converter is stolen, you will know right away when you start your vehicle. It will sound like you don't have a muffler at all (like loud motorcycle mufflers).
- It is ok to drive your vehicle directly to a muffler/dealer shop to get the Catalytic Converter replaced.
- You do not need your vehicle towed to the shop.
- File a police report right away. There might have be other thefts in the area that will assist with the investigation.
- Provide the officer with the information regarding your etched catalytic converter so the OAN (your license plate number) can be entered into the statewide database.
WHAT IS THE ROCKLIN POLICE DEPARTMENT DOING TO COMBAT CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFT?
The Rocklin Police Department is collaborating with local businesses to provide free etching and painting of your catalytic converter. Go to a participating business and with any paid service that requires your vehicle to be lifted on a rack, you can request to have your catalytic converter etched with your vehicle’s license plate number and painted with a high heat, bright white colored spray paint FOR FREE.