A traffic stop in Santa Monica earlier this month revealed a catalytic converter and cutting tools stolen in the trunk of a vehicle, police said over the weekend.
The Santa Monica Police Station pulled the Bay Street sedan onto Bay Street on March 3rd as it did not display the front license plate.
“During the vehicle search, officers discovered three catalytic converters in the trunk, one of which showed an oblique cutting that matches the metal cutting tool,” police said.
Officers also found a metal blade and found that the vehicle was not registered with either resident.
Police discovered three catalytic converters on the trunk of the car on March 3, 2025. (Santa Monica Police Station)
Both the driver and passenger were issued a quote to receive the stolen property and the vehicle was locked up, police said.
“We’ve had over 35 catalytic converter thefts over the past six months, an issue that’s expanding beyond Santa Monica and affecting communities across the country,” police said.
The public was asked to take steps to prevent catalytic converter theft by parking in bright areas, installing catalytic converter theft prevention devices, and etching catalytic converters with license plate numbers.
