Harder Backs Bill to Fight Catalytic Converter Theft

Press Release

Today, Representative Josh Harder announced he is backing a bipartisan bill to fight catalytic converter theft in the Central Valley. The bipartisan bill, the Preventing Auto Recycling Thefts (PART) Act, will codify catalytic converter crimes as criminal offenses, enhance law enforcement officers' abilities to track converters, and help stop black market converter sales. The theft of catalytic converters has become increasingly prevalent in the past two years, plaguing vehicle owners, scrap yards, and law enforcement officials in communities across the United States. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, the number of reported catalytic converter thefts rose from 3,389 in 2019 to 14,433 in 2020 -- an increase of over 325%.

The San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office warned last summer that "catalytic converter thefts have spiked" in the Central Valley after seizing nearly 300 stolen catalytic converters in a single day. Modesto Police also warned last year that "Catalytic converter theft has been an ongoing issue in many communities" and offered new services to help residents keep their property safe.

"Everyone in the Valley knows that we're seeing a rise in catalytic converter theft right now, and its past time we got out law enforcement officers the tools they need to fight back," said Rep. Harder. "I'm proud to back this bipartisan bill so we can put the folks orchestrating these crimes behind bars and stop this theft from happening in the first place."

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