Deputies with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office said there have been multiple reports of thefts of catalytic converters in the Goleta valley throughout the past week.
According to a news release sent to KSBY, sheriff's deputies received reports of theft in the following areas:
- 300 block of Valdez Avenue
- Armitos Avenue & South Kellogg Avenue
- 5200 block of San Simeon Drive
- 700 block of Walnut Lane
- 6100 block of Stow Canyon Road
- 6200 block of Momouth Avenue
- 5000 block of Douglas Lane
- 500 block of Amherst Drive
Sheriff's deputies said thieves targeted Ford trucks, a Chevrolet truck and a Honda Element.
Officials believe these thefts are similar to those recently reported by the Ventura Police Department and Oxnard Police Department, where Ford F250 trucks and Honda Elements were also targeted.
The theft of catalytic converters is common as they are easily removable, do not have identifying marks such as serial numbers and the components are made up of precious metals that can be resold to recyclers, according to the news release.
Sheriff's deputies said community members can park their vehicles inside a garage or secured yard, install motion detector lights near parking areas, install a catalytic converter protection device and tell their neighbors to look out for thieves to prevent their cars from being targeted.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is interested in videos that may have captured these thefts, according to sheriff's deputies.
Officials also encourage community members to call dispatch immediately if they see suspicious people around or underneath vehicles.
Community members can call 805-683-2724 for dispatch or leave an anonymous tip on the sheriff's office's website here.
