A multi-agency effort to combat the trafficking of stolen catalytic converters in San Bernardino County resulted in the seizure of 112 catalytic converters and more than two dozen arrests this week.
The operation was carried out by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Chino Hills Station and investigators from the Department of Motor Vehicles’ Vehicle Dismantler Industrial Strike Team, as well as agencies from the cities of Chino Hills, Chino, Upland, Montclair, Ontario, Fontana, and the unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County’s west end and Fontana.
Business inspections were conducted at automotive repair shops and recycling facilities.
Sixty-four businesses were inspected during the operation on Wednesday, June 8, leading to 28 arrests. Authorities said the arrests focused on targeting employees at recycling locations possibly purchasing the stolen catalytic converters, though information on how many arrests included employees at recycling yards was not immediately available.
Four citations were also issued by the Department of Toxic Substance Control for environmental violations.
Catalytic converters are exhaust emission-control devices that make gases less toxic. Thefts of the devices have been on the rise because of the value of their precious metals. Officials say many of the stolen car parts end up being bought up by automotive repair shops and recycling facilities.
“These thefts victimize innocent members of our communities and cause financial hardships,” deputies said in a statement. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to combat these crimes at every level, and hold the offenders responsible.”
Authorities encourage car owners to install security measures on the devices and engrave the car’s vehicle identification number on them in case they get stolen.
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