City of El Cajon, CA

05/19/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/19/2022 12:35

El Cajon Police Work with Local Businesses to Combat Catalytic Converter Theft

May 19, 2022

TYPE OF EVENT: El Cajon Police Work with Local Businesses to Combat Catalytic Converter Theft

LOCATION OF EVENT: Hyundai of El Cajon, 1385 East Main Street

RESUME OF EVENT:

Like other cities in San Diego County, El Cajon has experienced an increase in catalytic converter thefts over the last several years. A catalytic converter is a part of the vehicle's exhaust system and contains valuable metals that can be recycled. As a way to help combat this problem, the El Cajon Police Department is working with Hyundai of El Cajon to offer free catalytic converter engraving to forty (40) vehicles on Saturday, May 21st from 0730 to 1200 at the East Main Street location. The 40 vehicles that will receive the free engraving service belong to citizens from the community who participated in the event by following the story on the El Cajon Police Department's social media accounts. The process includes the engraving of the license plate and/or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) onto the vehicle's catalytic converter. This has been shown to be a deterrent to the theft of catalytic converters, as most thieves will likely move on to a different vehicle if they encounter an etched catalytic converter. Additionally, this service makes it difficult for thieves to profit on the precious metals at a scrap yard, and is a considerably cheaper option than replacing a stolen catalytic converter.

The El Cajon Police Department invites you to follow us on Instagram and Twitter at: @elcajonpolice

The El Cajon Police Department is asking that anyone with information regarding the theft of catalytic converters to call the El Cajon Police Department at

(619) 579-3311 or San Diego Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477 or on-line at SDCRIMESTOPPERS.ORG.

PREPARED BY: Amanda Stills

DIVISION: Community Information Officer

DATE AND TIME: 05/19/22 @ 11:15am

REVIEWED BY: Lt. Randy Soulard

Michael Moulton, Chief of Police