UC Davis police issued a crime alert bulletin Wednesday warning of a recent rash of catalytic converter thefts at a campus parking structure.
The thefts occurred between 1 and 3 p.m. Tuesday at the West Entry parking structure, 685 Kleiber Hall Dr. Four Toyota Priuses parked in the structure had their catalytic converters sawed off from the vehicles’ undercarriages.
According to the bulletin, one of the victims was returning to her car at about 2:50 p.m. and spotted a white midsize sport-utility vehicle with three men sitting in and around the SUV. All got into the SUV and fled as the woman approached her car.
Police described the men, believed to be suspects in the thefts, as Asian males in their 40s, standing 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-8 with medium builds and wearing white T-shirts.
Catalytic converter thefts have been on the rise throughout Sacramento region this past year, with Toyota Priuses being especially popular targets. The components, which are part of the cars’ emissions system and contain several precious metals, are sold for quick cash at auto recycling yards.
Police advise vehicle owners to avoid such thefts by parking in garages or well-lit areas.
Anyone with information about this or similar incidents is asked to call UCDPD at 530-754-COPS (2677). Updates regarding this incident, when and if available, will be posted on the UCDPD website at https://police.ucdavis.edu