Costa Mesa launches bait car sting to catch catalytic converter thieves – CBS Los Angeles
COSTA MESA (CBSA) – As the theft of catalytic converters continues to increase dramatically, Costa Mesa police have come up with a few ways to catch these thieves, from etching unique marks on the parts to starting a bait car operation .
“It’s very similar to putting a tracker on packages,” Costa Mesa Police Chief Ron Lawrence said. “Same kind of concept so you never know.”
READ MORE: Search for suspect in deadly Hancock Park attack still ongoing
Like many towns in Southland, Costa Mesa has seen a significant spike in catalytic converter thefts over the past two years. In 2020, 115 catalytic converters were reported stolen in the city. In 2021, that number nearly tripled to 318.
Costa Mesa police put up signs warning of bait car operations.
In an effort to stem thefts and catch criminals in the act, the Costa Mesa Police Department has set up bait cars in key areas of the city. They also placed signs warning potential thieves of this operation, to deter them from committing crimes.
READ MORE: Sherman Oaks Ralphs evacuated after suspect who brandished gun flees in parking lot
In the past, the Costa Mesa Police have held free engraving events, where residents can have their catalytic converters engraved with their license plate number.
“I had heard of stolen catalytic converters so the step I took was to have my license plate engraved on it in case it was stolen so it could be returned to me,” Gabe Villa said. , victim of a catalytic converter theft.
Authorities were able to locate Villa’s catalytic converter after placing a tracker on the suspect’s vehicle, and with his license plate engraved on the valuable auto part, authorities returned it to him 10 days later.
NO MORE NEWS: Woman killed in Compton shooting; Authorities are looking for a suspect
“It’s really great,” said Villa. “I was a few hundred dollars versus a few thousand dollars.”