LAPD News:

The Los Alamos Police Department (LAPD) is investigating five catalytic converter theft cases and one attempted catalytic converter theft since Feb. 2.

Los Alamos police were called to investigate several catalytic converter thefts in Los Alamos and White Rock during the last 10 days.

The catalytic converters are being cut from the undercarriage of the vehicles. The suspect(s) appear to be targeting vehicles in the daytime hours and the suspect is using a reciprocating saw.

Los Alamos Police were also called to the “Y” (N.M. 4 and N.M. 502) Sunday for several catalytic converters that were stolen during the daytime hours Sunday. These thefts at the “Y” were referred to the Santa Fe County Sheriff’s Office, which has jurisdiction over that area.

“We would like the community to be aware of this crime trend and we ask citizens to be checking vehicles regularly especially if their vehicles are not utilized every day. Also, please be aware that the “Y” parking area is being targeted for this crime,” Deputy Chief Oliver Morris, LAPD. “Catalytic converter thefts continue to be a problem, last year our detectives made an arrest of a suspect connected to six catalytic converter thefts. We will continue to investigate these new cases to bring the criminal(s) to justice.”

Any citizen with information related to this crime trend may call L.A. Crime Stoppers at 505.662.8282 or the LAPD non-emergency dispatch line at 505.662.8222. LAPD is offering a $500 reward leading to the arrest of any suspect(s).

Photo of a three-way catalytic converter on a gasoline-powered 1996 Dodge Ram. A catalytic converter is an exhaust emission control device that converts toxic gases and pollutants in exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine into less-toxic pollutants by catalyzing a redoxreaction. Thieves target catalytic converters because they contain platinum, palladium and rhodium, which can be worth a few hundred dollars or more. Courtesy/wikipedia