AVPD To Host Catalytic Converter Marking Event Saturday

APPLE VALLEY, MN — The Apple Valley Police Department announced that it is partnering with Apple Valley Car Clinic and the MN Department of Commerce to mark catalytic converters on Saturday.

The event will take place from 8 a.m.-noon at Apple Valley Car Clinic on Saturday, police said.

The catalytic converter marking program is called CatGuard and was established in 2021 by the Minnesota Department of Commerce, police said. The marking of the catalytic converters makes it easier for law enforcement to trace a recovered converter back to the vehicle it was stolen from, according to police.

Apple Valley Police Department said that Minnesota has one of the highest rates of catalytic converter theft in the nation.

The Police Department asked that only vehicles listed below sign up to have their catalytic converters marked.

These 15 vehicles are the most at risk of catalytic converter theft:

• Chevrolet Express
• Ford Econoline
• Ford F250
• Honda Accord
• Honda CRV
• Honda Element
• Honda Odyssey
• Hyundai Santa Fe
• Hyundai Tucson
• Kia Sportage
• Mitsubishi Eclipse
• Mitsubishi Lancer
• Mitsubishi Outlander
• Toyota Prius
• Toyota Tundra

Here are some additional tips from the PD on avoiding catalytic converter theft:

• If you have a garage, park your vehicle inside when not attended.
• If you are unable to park inside, park near your building or under lights to make your vehicle less desirable to a thief.
• Watch for suspicious activity around vehicles and listen for the distinct sound of grinding metal.
• Call 911 immediately to report any suspicious activity.

If you are unable to attend the event you can pick up a marking kit from the Apple Valley Police Department during business hours, police said.

Register for the event here.