Catalytic converter thefts grow in area

[Toumeng]

By Penne Usher Telegraph Correspondent

If you own a Toyota and live in El Dorado Hills, you better park your car in the garage.

Catalytic converter thieves have been busy in the area since late June, stealing more than a half dozen converters mostly from Toyota vehicles. In June thieves targeted the Shingle Springs and Cameron Park area, by July El Dorado Hills residents were the target. Last week, the Folsom?Telegraph’s front page was devoted to thieves hitting the Folsom area as well.

In late June a catalytic converter was removed from a Toyota pickup on Sunset Lane in Shingle Springs, two from vehicles on Coach Lane in Cameron Park, and two others stolen in the surrounding area.

In late July Toyota 4Runners and trucks were the target of catalytic converter thieves in El Dorado Hills.

So, why Toyotas? Their converters contain higher levels of precious metals.

“Ninety nine percent of catalytic converter thefts are Toyotas, specifically 1980s to 1990s Toyota trucks,” said Lt. Bryan Golmitz of the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office. “They are targeted because their converters are three pass, meaning they have more precious metals inside of them.”

As the price of platinum, rhodium and palladium — the metals found inside the converters — rises, so do thefts.

“All the victims have had trucks and 4Runners,” Golmitz said. “Thieves recycle them for the metal content in them.”

Hillary Henrickson was filling up her Toyota 4Runner recently at the Valero station in El Dorado Hills. She doesn’t live in the area, but said that she is aware of thefts that are on the rise throughout the area.

“I saw something on the news or in the paper and since I have a Toyota, thought it best to start parking my truck in the garage,” she said.

Golmitz said thieves strike in the night using silent tools such as pipe cutters to complete the job.

“They hit as many as they can in the neighborhood and leave,” he said.

Replacement for the part can range from $300 to $2,000, Golmitz said.

In April ,El Dorado County Sheriff deputies arrested Thao Xiong and Xen Vue who were identified as being on probation for stealing catalytic converters.

Following a traffic stop deputies conducted a probation search of the vehicle and found a pipe cutter and tools that could be used to cut and remove catalytic converters, according to officials.

Deputies reportedly found a catalytic converter in the trunk.

“Based on the circumstances the deputy arrested both suspects for possession of stolen property and conspiracy to commit grand theft,” the release states.

Xiong, 31, remains in custody on $35,000 bail. Vue is no longer in custody.

Source: http://edhtelegraph.com/detail/185013.html

[Reporter]

Agreed.  Toyota and Honda parts are strong.

By Penne Usher Telegraph Correspondent

If you own a Toyota and live in El Dorado Hills, you better park your car in the garage.

Catalytic converter thieves have been busy in the area since late June, stealing more than a half dozen converters mostly from Toyota vehicles. In June thieves targeted the Shingle Springs and Cameron Park area, by July El Dorado Hills residents were the target. Last week, the Folsom?Telegraph’s front page was devoted to thieves hitting the Folsom area as well.

In late June a catalytic converter was removed from a Toyota pickup on Sunset Lane in Shingle Springs, two from vehicles on Coach Lane in Cameron Park, and two others stolen in the surrounding area.

In late July Toyota 4Runners and trucks were the target of catalytic converter thieves in El Dorado Hills.

So, why Toyotas? Their converters contain higher levels of precious metals.

“Ninety nine percent of catalytic converter thefts are Toyotas, specifically 1980s to 1990s Toyota trucks,” said Lt. Bryan Golmitz of the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office. “They are targeted because their converters are three pass, meaning they have more precious metals inside of them.”

As the price of platinum, rhodium and palladium — the metals found inside the converters — rises, so do thefts.

“All the victims have had trucks and 4Runners,” Golmitz said. “Thieves recycle them for the metal content in them.”

Hillary Henrickson was filling up her Toyota 4Runner recently at the Valero station in El Dorado Hills. She doesn’t live in the area, but said that she is aware of thefts that are on the rise throughout the area.

“I saw something on the news or in the paper and since I have a Toyota, thought it best to start parking my truck in the garage,” she said.

Golmitz said thieves strike in the night using silent tools such as pipe cutters to complete the job.

“They hit as many as they can in the neighborhood and leave,” he said.

Replacement for the part can range from $300 to $2,000, Golmitz said.

In April ,El Dorado County Sheriff deputies arrested Thao Xiong and Xen Vue who were identified as being on probation for stealing catalytic converters.

Following a traffic stop deputies conducted a probation search of the vehicle and found a pipe cutter and tools that could be used to cut and remove catalytic converters, according to officials.

Deputies reportedly found a catalytic converter in the trunk.

“Based on the circumstances the deputy arrested both suspects for possession of stolen property and conspiracy to commit grand theft,” the release states.

Xiong, 31, remains in custody on $35,000 bail. Vue is no longer in custody.

Source: http://edhtelegraph.com/detail/185013.html

[Peachy Fish]

I hope that doesn't start down here. I've a Toyota...even though it's pretty old, I want it to last 20 more yrs.

[MilesDaddy]

Eldorado hills is where all the rich folks love in The Sacramento are.....They should be using their garage anyways

[potus]

who would have thought that crack-headed hmong guys would drive all the way up to el dorado hills to steal cat converters.  they're stupid if they thought people wouldn't notice their presence.  that's like spotting the black guy at a kkk convention...i t's easy...just find the one dangling from a tree.