Protect Your Car: Lost Hills To Host Catalytic Converter Etching Event

MALIBU, CA — The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Lost Hills Station will host a catalytic converter etching event to help residents protect themselves against theft.

Appointments will be available next Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Malibu Auto Care in a Chevron Gas Station, located at 23670 Pacific Coast Highway. To make an appointment email bmknott@lasd.org.

At the event, authorities will etch a serial number on the car's catalytic converter so it can be recovered if stolen. Replacing a stolen catalytic converter can cost thousands of dollars, according to police.

In February, Deputy Brian Knott told Patch the station had seen a "dramatic rise" in catalytic converter thefts from parked vehicles. The station held a similar event in February that filled up incredibly quickly.

Catalytic converters, the part of a vehicle's exhaust system that reduces pollution can fetch thieves about $150 a piece, according to Knott. Catalytic Converters are relatively easy to steal because thieves can unbolt or cut them out in minutes. Thieves can steal several catalytic converters in a single night and sell them to metal recyclers, who prize them because they contain copper and platinum.