Crime & Safety
Free Catalytic Converter Etching In Los Alamitos This Weekend
Etching the catalytic converter helps make it easier to track down the part's original owner if it gets stolen, Los Alamitos officials said.
LOS ALAMITOS, CA — The Los Alamitos Police Department is teaming up with a local auto body shop to offer free catalytic convert etchings Saturday for residents to help fight back against a rise in thefts of the auto part.
Fred Guy's Auto Body and Paint will host the etching event from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on a first-come, first-serve basis, Los Alamitos officials said.
"With catalytic converter thefts on the rise, we can track victims down if you have your VIN number etched on your catalytic converter," city officials said on social media.
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Fred Guy's Auto Body and Paint is at 10813 Los Vaqueros Circle.
Thieves target the auto part as it contains precious metals like gold, palladium and platinum. Converters belonging to hybrid vehicles are frequently targeted as they have higher concentrations of metals, officials said.
Find out what's happening in Los Alamitos-Seal Beachfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
A stolen converter can fetch between $150 and $250 at a scrapyard. However, the cost for a motorist to replace the stolen part can be upwards of $2,500.
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