HOLISTER, Calif. (KION-TV) — After a series of catalytic converter thefts in Hollister, police patrolled riverbeds this week looking for evidence that could lead them to the suspects.
Police said they patrolled the riverbed specifically because it is easily accessible and the suspect could have used it to easily travel to the north and south of the city.
On Wednesday night, police said five catalytic converters had been stolen from people’s cars.
According to police, their patrols along the riverbed didn’t lead to any arrests, nor did they find the missing catalytic converter, but it’s one of the ways they’re trying to deter crime in the city.
Police said they have plans for a catalytic converter sculpting event to easily tie the stolen converter to the victim.
According to Governor Gavin Newsom, similar thefts have increased tenfold since 2018.
Newsom signed two bills accordingly. One would force recyclers to keep a record of who brought in the catalytic converters, and the other would require that catalytic converters be sold only by authorized parties.
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