California Bills Targeting Catalytic Converter Thefts
Assemblyman Jim Patterson, R-Fresno, introduced a few bills focused on auto parts theft, like catalytic converters. converters that are not attached to a motor vehicle, and current law makes it a crime for someone to act as an automobile dismantler without having an established place of business and without having a current license. Assembly Bill 1653 is related to property crimes. Existing law requires the California Highway Patrol to work with the Department of Justice to organize a regional property crime task force to identify areas experiencing increased levels of property crime and to assist law enforcement. local order with personnel and equipment. This bill would actually specify that the theft of auto parts and accessories should be investigated as a property crime by the regional property crime task force. The introduction of these bills is part of a growing trend of theft of catalytic converters. .
Assemblyman Jim Patterson, R-Fresno, introduced a few bills focused on the theft of auto parts, such as catalytic converters.
Assembly Bill 1659 would expand the definition of an “automotive dismantler” to include a person who retains two or more used catalytic converters that are not attached to a motor vehicle, and current law makes it a crime for a person to act as a car dismantler without having a place of business and holding a valid licence.
Assembly Bill 1653 is related to property crimes. Existing law requires the California Highway Patrol to work with the Department of Justice to organize a regional property crime task force to identify areas experiencing increased levels of property crime and to assist law enforcement. local order with personnel and equipment.
This bill would actually specify that the theft of auto parts and accessories should be investigated as a property crime by the regional property crime task force.
The introduction of these bills comes amid a growing trend of catalytic converter thefts.
A KCRA 3 investigation found that in Sacramento County alone, the number of reported catalytic converter thefts has increased more than 1,500% in the past three and a half years.