Catalytic converter theft caught on camera as LA neighborhood sees uptick in thefts

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — A Los Angeles neighborhood is on high alert after a brazen catalytic converter theft is caught on camera in Mount Washington.

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Last Wednesday just before 4 a.m., underneath a street light illuminating Terrace 49, three men in a white BMW pulled up next to a Prius before they take the catalytic converter off the vehicle, surveillance video shows.

William Fiero captures the footage from his home across the street. He told Eyewitness News that his car, catalytic converter and power tools were stolen two years ago, but noticed a pattern with thefts.

“It’s funny how the cars start disappearing at the same time these guys find your neighborhood. So it’s first the catalytic converters and then extra parts for other vehicles. So who’s getting these catalytic converters the recycling plant or the mechanics?” Fiero said.

The video shows that, at one point, one of the suspects stoops down next to the SUV parked behind the Prius. He looks underneath before deciding to leave it alone.

Based on the video, it takes the group about four minutes to free the converter from the Prius.

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“They get in there so quick and get out so quick, but the fact that they’re willing to kill for recycling metal, it’s just… they put no value on human life,” said Fiero.

With some catalytic converter heists taking a deadly turn, like in the case of “General Hospital” actor Johnny Wactor, who was shot when he walked up to a man stealing his catalytic converter back in May 2024, the Los Angeles Police Department says they’re taking the uptick in thefts throughout the neighborhood seriously.

LAPD says its increasing patrols in the neighborhood.

“They have all these skills where they can jack up a car, cut off the catalytic converters and they can’t go out and get a job,” Fiero said.

Catalytic converter thefts have plagued L.A. for years. LAPD has offered some tips to deter catalytic converter thefts — one of them is not parking on the street. If you don’t have an option, consider placing a cage around your catalytic converter. There’s also events that the LAPD holds to etch the VIN number of the car on that catalytic converter.

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