“Etch & Catch” Service Underway In Ojai
(Ojai, CA) — Ojai Police and local businesses are doing what they can to make things difficult for catalytic converter robbers. A new free service called “Etch and Catch” is available that involves etching drivers’ license plate numbers on their vehicle’s catalytic converters. Authorities say the markings are meant to deter thieves and help police recover the devices after they’re stolen. The participating sites are Adamson’s Tire on Bryant Street, Ojai Valley Imports on East Ojai Avenue, Fred’s Tire Man in Oak View and Ojai Valley Muffler on North Ventura Avenue. All businesses have an “Ojai Police Department Catalytic Converter Anti-Theft Program Member” sticker on display.
Detectives say thieves are going after the mixture of metals in catalytic converters that can be cashed in for recycling. They also say the platinum is worth a lot of money. Those metals help turn toxic car exhaust into less harmful fumes. Experienced thieves can take a catalytic converter right off a vehicle in less than three minutes.
