A woman faces off a pair of catalytic converter thieves as she targets her car outside her Santa Clarita home.
Ozzy Vox said the incident occurred early Sunday morning at around 7am on May 25th.
Home security cameras found the suspect being pulled up in a black sedan and the victim’s older model Honda Odyssey minivan parked on the street.
A woman confronted two burglars after stealing a catalytic converter from her husband’s work van outside the Santa Clarita home on May 25, 2025. The Honda Odyssey minivan was targeted by two catalytic converter thieves on May 25, 2025. (KTLA) A woman faced two burglars after stealing a catalytic converter from her husband’s work van outside the Santa Clarita home on May 25, 2025. Brand new catalytic converters found in this undated file photo.
Two male suspects wearing hoodies and ski masks got out of the car, jacked the van and turned down the catalytic converter within minutes.
Vox and his wife were at home and witnessed the theft when it happened. His wife left to face the two burglars while filming the incident on her cell phone. She hears her husband call out to come outside.
The man stared in her direction as she cried, but in the end they fled the scene. Vox said the man looked like an expert as the whole theft was “taken within three minutes.”
Officials say catalytic converter theft has become common across the country because the device contains precious metals, which is relatively easy to steal and lacks identifiable markings.
Vox and his neighbors said they were unhappy with the problems they were growing up. He hopes that sharing his story will help other residents be wary. He also wants to see the presence of heavier law enforcement agencies with more frequent patrols throughout his community.
“The sheriff said there were more incidents that day,” Vox said. “We had a few cars at least in our area. [the suspects] strike. They explained to us that these people can knock out dozens of cars in 30 minutes. ”
Vox said it would cost him about $2,500 to replace his catalytic converter.
Some ways that a driver can protect a vehicle from catalytic converter theft include:
Installing anti-theft devices on catalytic converters – Licensed car shops install protective plates, shields, clamps, cages, straps or other devices to mark catalytic converters that decorate or etch the vehicle’s identification number (VIN) or license plate number to protect the catalytic converter. It could also help to warn a reputable scrap dealer that the device is being stolen and identify the owner who will adjust the vehicle’s alarm. A properly adjusted alarm can detect vibrations and alert you, and park thieves in a safe place. If you are parking in a driveway, consider installing movement-sensitive lights. Park in bright, bright, traffic areas near the entrance to a building or when parking in a public place
Anyone with information about theft can call Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station at 661-260-4000.
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