LAPD hosts etching event to bring down catalytic converter thefts

The Los Angeles Police Department has hosted free etching events across L.A. to bring down catalytic converter thefts.

The etching process itself is quick. An LAPD officer checks the car’s VIN and attaches the car to a tow truck to lift it while another officer goes underneath the car to etch and then paint the catalytic converter.

At a Los Angeles Police Department Northeast Division etching event held Thursday, there was a long line of cars as early as 8 a.m. Alysia, a woman in line to get her car etched, told KNX News’ Nataly Tavidian her neighbors were recently victims of a catalytic converter theft.

“Just Sunday around three o'clock in the morning. They said they did it very fast. Only took like three seconds,” she said.

Alysia’s hoping her car getting etched will be enough to deter thieves. Her car will have a stencil that says “Marked by LAPD'' sprayed in bright red spray paint onto the catalytic converter along with her VIN etched into it.

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Police said there’s been a slight uptick in violence along with catalytic converter thefts. Last month, actor Johnny Wactor, who appeared on “General Hospital," was shot and killed while people were allegedly trying to steal a catalytic converter.

Officers at the event said they’ve seen thieves attempt to steal a catalytic converter then take off after seeing the etching and stencil painted on it. They’re hoping the etching will bring down the trends in theft.

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