By Cathy Locke
clocke@sacbee.com
The South Lake Tahoe Police Department is warning residents and visitors to the area to be on the lookout for people stealing catalytic converters from vehicles.
The devices were stolen from at least five vehicles Monday night and Tuesday morning, according to a Police Department news release.
Three of the thefts occurred in the city of South Lake Tahoe and the other two in the unincorporated area of El Dorado County.
In each case, police reported, the thief crawled underneath the vehicle and used some sort of cutting tool to remove the converter.
Police noted that the theft of catalytic converters is on the rise nationwide.
Thieves target the devices, which have ceramic cores coated with platinum, rhodium and palladium. The crooks turn the metals in for cash at metal recycling centers.
The value of the metals has steadily increased, making this type of theft attractive to thieves and often posing a low risk of being caught in the act, authorities said. Typically, a loud exhaust sound is the first indication a vehicle owner has that the catalytic converter has been stolen.
Police are seeking suspects in this week's rash of thefts. Anyone with information is asked call Detective Jeff Roberson at (530) 542-6100.
Call The Bee's Cathy Locke, (916) 321-5287.
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