Catalytic Converter Theft Caught on Camera in Los Angeles
A brazen early morning heist in the Mount Washington neighborhood highlights ongoing concerns about vehicle component theft.
Home security footage captured a group of masked individuals stealing a catalytic converter from a Toyota Prius in Los Angeles' Mount Washington neighborhood on September 16. The incident occurred just before 4 a.m. when a white BMW SUV carrying three suspects pulled up to the parked vehicle.
The suspects, wearing hooded sweatshirts, used their vehicle's high beams to illuminate the area while they worked. The video shows one individual briefly inspecting another SUV parked behind the Prius before focusing on the target vehicle. The entire theft, from arrival to departure, took approximately four minutes.
William Fiero, an electrician who lives across the street, recorded the incident on his security system. Fiero, who was previously a victim of car theft, catalytic converter theft, and power tool theft two years ago, expressed concern about the frequency of these crimes.
"It’s funny how the cars start disappearing at the same time these guys find your neighborhood," Fiero told Eyewitness News. "So it’s first the catalytic converters and then extra parts for other vehicles. So who’s getting these catalytic converters—the recycling plant or the mechanics?"
Catalytic converters are sought after by thieves due to the valuable precious metals they contain, including platinum, palladium, and rhodium. These metals can be quickly sold for scrap.
This incident occurs against a backdrop of similar crimes, including the fatal shooting of "General Hospital" actor Johnny Wactor in downtown Los Angeles in May 2024. Wactor was killed after he unexpectedly interrupted thieves targeting his vehicle's catalytic converter.