The Oceanside Police Department invites you to attend a Catalytic Converter Etching Event on Saturday, May 13, 2023, from 7:00 am – 12:30 pm. The event is hosted by Crash Champions, located at 510 Jones Road in Oceanside. This event is part of a multifaceted strategy that the Oceanside Police Department has implemented to address catalytic converter thefts occurring nationwide.
Catalytic converters are vehicle parts that contain valuable platinum group metals like rhodium, iridium, and palladium. The increase in these thefts coincides with the cost of these precious metals and the demand for catalytic converters due to increasing vehicle emission regulations. Criminals can steal your catalytic converter in moments, using tools found at hardware stores, leaving you with costly parts to replace and repair.
Matching a stolen catalytic converter to the vehicle it was stolen from is essential in pursuing a criminal case against the thieves. Police urge car owners to engrave their vehicle’s identification number on their converter to link the part to their car. The engraving can also alert buyers to stolen parts. This will also help investigators reunite victims with a stolen part, potentially preventing the expense of a replacement. Participating in a catalytic converter etching event is a proactive measure you can take to assist law enforcement in combatting this crime trend.
All participants will have their catalytic converters etched with an identifying number. This etching will provide law enforcement with valuable information should it be stolen and later located by law enforcement personnel during subsequent investigations. Oceanside Police personnel will be available throughout the day to provide valuable tips to help keep your vehicle safe. This event is provided at no cost to participants.
Participants are encouraged to register for an appointment time. To register, please visit bit.ly/ETCHCATCH. For additional information, please contact Oceanside Police Department Public Information Officer Jennifer Atenza at (760) 277-5237 or email jatenza@oceansideca.org.
