Monrovia Police Hosting Etch & Catch Event Later This Month

MONROVIA, CA — The Monrovia Police Department will host an "etch and catch" event at the end of August to help curb a rise in catalytic converter thefts that have plagued Los Angeles County.

The event will be held on Aug. 28, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., at Ward Service Auto Repair. The event is free for residents of Monrovia, and advanced registration is required, the department said in a statement.

Mechanics will etch a car’s catalytic converter with a unique identification number, according to officials. The number is used to link a converter back to its original owner if it's ever stolen and later recovered by police.

Thieves target the part because it contains precious metals such as gold and platinum. Converters from hybrid vehicles are typically targeted as they have a high concentration of metals, officials said. A stolen converter can be sold for between $150 and $250 at a scrapyard.

However, replacing the stolen part could cost a motorist upwards of $2,500.