Concord Police, Toyota Dealership Team Up To Fight Converter Theft

CONCORD (KCBS)--- Workers at an East Bay car dealership said they have started etching identifying marks onto the catalytic converters of the cars and trucks they sell to the public as an effort to put a dent in the number of thefts of these devices lately.

Concord has seen a rash of catalytic converter thefts from certain Toyota models in the past few weeks, so Concord Toyota and the Concord Police Department are working together to try and stop the thieves.

Jamie Moore, the customer relations manager at the dealership, said identifying serial numbers will be placed on the converters so they can be traced.

KCBS' Bob Melrose Reports:

"They're so popular because they're filled with precious metals," she said. "Some of them, most commonly are filled with platinum. I believe others have copper as well."

The cost of putting in a new converter can be as much as $3,000.

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