Police are searching for information that will help apprehend whoever has perpetrated the overnight thefts of 29 catalytic convertors from Toyota trucks that have occurred in the last month.
The thefts began on July 26 and have focused entirely on Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner trucks. According to police reports, the thefts began in North Redondo and have spread to South Redondo. Torrance has experienced a similar number of thefts in the same time period.
Over the past weekend, six thefts occurred, including three on August 22 on the 200 blocks of Halberta Ave. and Ave. D and the 600 block of Ave. B.
Redondo Beach Police Department Sgt. Shawn Freeman said police believe the convertors, valued at about $30 as scrap metal, are being stolen and resold at scrap yards.
“It’s four bolts that pretty much connect the catalytic convertor under a Toyota, and they get under the car bottom and saw off or unbolt the convertor and they are off to the scrap yard selling it for its metals,” Freeman said.
Freeman said that it is unknown why the thefts have focused on Toyota trucks.
“You’ve got to figure it’s just the crooks – ‘Hey, I’ve always had good luck with Toyotas, it’s easy for me to do, so I do Toyotas,’” he said. “Why not Hondas? Until we catch the guys that are doing it, we probably won’t know. It’s not like they are doing Toyotas because they are easier…Crooks a lot of times are like lightning – they chose the path of least resistance. They go with what is known to them, and easy to them.”
Police received one call of a supposed theft in progress but it turned out to be teenagers working under their own car late at night. Freeman said the public is encouraged to report suspicious activities they see in their neighborhoods in hopes of putting an end to the thefts.
“If someone sees some strange car cruising up and down neighborhoods, pulling up to next to a Toyota truck, please call us,” Freeman said.
Police can be reached at 310-379-2477. ERXX
