SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – San Francisco Police say thieves stole four catalytic converters from marked police vehicles earlier this week, continuing a disturbing trend across the city.
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The thefts were discovered on Monday when an officer noticed a marked police truck parked in the area of 16th and De Haro Streets with its catalytic converter missing. The officer subsequently inspected other vehicles, and found another marked police truck and two police vans also had their catalytic converters stolen.
No arrests have been made and an investigation remains ongoing, authorities said.
Anyone with additional information is asked to call San Francisco Police tip line at 415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with "SFPD."
The police vehicles are just one part of a growing, citywide problem as catalytic converter theft has skyrocketed in San Francisco.
Though authorities were not able to provide KCBS Radio with specific statistics, mechanics who were surveyed by the station said it was one of the most common repairs they make.
Catalytic converter thefts used to be isolated to only Prius hybrids, however according to Forest Cadam with "Pat's Garage" in San Francisco, thieves are expanding to more vehicles.
"It's definitely branching out to a lot of other makers and models," he told KCBS Radio.
Catalytic converters contain three types of precious metals which can yield up to $20,000 per ounce when sold. That payday has created a motivated black market throughout the city.
In addition to the four police vehicles, police on Thursday announced an officer was injured while chasing after another catalytic converter thief in San Francisco. One of the suspects has been arrested while another remains outstanding.
Cadam said an owner’s best defense against catalytic converter theft is insurance.
"You're not paying that much more a month considering what you would have to pay if this happened to your vehicle," he said.
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