Seal Beach Police To Host Catalytic Converter Etching Event

SEAL BEACH, CA — The Seal Beach Police Department will host a free catalytic converter etching event on March 13 to help combat a rise in thefts of the auto part.

The etching event will be at Automotive Excellence from 8 a.m. to noon, the department said. Officials will etch a car's catalytic converter with a unique identification number free of charge.

The number will be used to link the part back to its original owner if it is ever stolen and later recovered by police, officials said.

No registration is required, and the etching is on a first-come-first-serve basis, he said.

The etching event will be on the south side of the Pavilions parking lot at 1101 Pacific Coast Highway. Drivers must provide a valid driver's license, car registration and proof of insurance, the department said.

Thefts of the auto part have been on the rise across the Southland, Seal Beach police Lt. Nick Nicholas said.

"Catalytic converters are not serialized, making it difficult to trace the part back to its original owner," Nicholas said. "Without a victim, it becomes difficult to prosecute the criminals responsible for the thefts."

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.

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.