Alert: Rash of Catalytic Converter Thefts in D, E Sections

Police are asking for the public to report any suspicious activity in their neighborhood, after nine residents reported catalytic converters thefts in a one-day period, most in D and E sections.

"It looks like they all occurred Monday night; calls started rolling in Tuesday and Wednesday," said Sgt. Dave Welch, with the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety. "You'll know if you start your engine and it sounds like a race car."

Police said in response that the department is ramping up patrols citywide.

Most of the vehilces that have been hit are pick-up trucks, specifically Toyota trucks and 4Runners, and the incidents likely occurred at night when people are sleeping, according to police.

"It looks like they're hitting pick-up trucks becuase there's clearance — you can get underneath and fairly easily remove the catalytic converter, which is part of the muffler system," said Chief Brian Masterson. "Then they turn around and sell these things at salvage places."

"There are a lot of very valuable metals in there, like titanium and platinum ... that they take to scrap yards and cash in on," Welch said.

Police estimated that the stolen parts rake in around $150, but they cause upwards of $1,000 in damage to vehicles.

Welch said a spate of similar thefts in Santa Rosa and Petaluma occurred between six and nine months ago.

"Even with our limited resources, we've increased patrols in residential areas, but we're still asking for the public's help to report any suspicious activity — either on their street or in driveways," Welch said. "Ususally with these cases, a band of people from out of the area will hit a certain area and then move on to the next."

Police are asking anyone who sees anything to call 707-584-2600, and be as descript as possible, with details such as clothing and appearance. Click on the map to find out more details on addresses that have been hit.