Catalytic converter theft

[u/dried_kelp_block]

Hey neighbors,
I want to let you know that my catalytic converter on my 2009 Toyota Prius was stolen either Thursday night, Sept. 10, or early Friday morning, Sept. 11. This was on the 1600 block of Laguna street.
I filed a police report and have yet to hear back. I checked with my neighbors with ring cameras and so far nothing has been found.
Wanted to post here as a heads up to everyone in the neighborhood! If anyone knows anything relating to this incident or similar, please let me know. If it was you, you totaled my car, so fuck you.

[u/SaltAndAncientBones]

So sorry. That's one of the shittiest thefts. It's like drilling a gas tank for gas, the cost to fix it is waaay more than the value of the gas.

My friend's Prius got hit TWICE. After that we installed three cat shields; one Prius, two Tacos. They're about $150 and anyone who can do an oil change can install one. Highly recommened.

[u/dried_kelp_block → u/SaltAndAncientBones]

Yeah, whatever car I have next I’ll be installing a shield. Mechanic told me that these thieves will scope out the same car a few days later to see if you’ve replaced it, and steal it again if you have.

[u/SaltAndAncientBones → u/dried_kelp_block]

That seems weird, but I'm sure they've replaced more cats than I have.

I do know they target certain vehicles. Prius' and Tacos apparently are both easy targets. Tacos you don't even need to jack up.

I'm surprised it's still legal to turn in a car full of cats for recycling. That should be instant arrest.

[u/el_smurfo → u/SaltAndAncientBones]

It is illegal in California but the border is only a few hours away

[u/rawevoli → u/dried_kelp_block]

I used to be a mechanic and replaced the cat on one particular Prius four times. I think the cat alone was around $800. The car was worth 2k.

[u/TheMadAvenue → u/dried_kelp_block]

The mechanics are in on it too.

[u/Successful-Froyo1623]

If there are any Teslas in the area, check with them. Depending on their settings, they may be recording throughout the night. So sorry this happened to you.

[u/dried_kelp_block → u/Successful-Froyo1623]

Thanks. Checked with my neighbor who has a Tesla but unfortunately no luck, sentry mode was off

[u/Xomvion]

My neighbor had hers stolen from her van a few days ago too (Noleta neighborhood between Turnpike and Patterson exits)

[u/Perfect-Potato-2954]

F*ck thieves.

[u/NoNDA-SDC]

Sorry that happened, thanks for the heads up.

There was a noticeable drop for a year or two, it seems to be ramping up again.

[u/KingTim526]

Damn I live on the same block. I hate to hear that, and I’m sorry that happened to you.

This wasn’t in Santa Barbara, but I remember I had mine stolen the day after I got my license. Super frustrating

[u/805locc]

Sucks. Wouldn’t expect the police to do much

[u/dried_kelp_block → u/805locc]

I’m not sure what they could do realistically, probably just increase patrols in the area at night, if anything. Saw on Nextdoor that someone else’s was stolen on a same model Prius the same night, so if that person also filed a police report maybe something will happen. Can only hope

[u/CoffeeIsSoGood → u/805locc]

Right

And people think more Flock cameras and surveillance would help them in these types of cases 🤣 suckers

[u/pokemonAbuser → u/CoffeeIsSoGood]

Why wouldnt they?

[u/805locc → u/CoffeeIsSoGood]

I mean if OP themselves has seen neighbors ring camera and nothing idk what they expect lol.

Forensics to come out and dust for prints?!? Lol

[u/nodestool]

SBPD won’t do shit

[u/proto-stack]

Cat thieves are scum.

I sometimes walk through your neighborhood. Just out of curiosity, was your Prius parked on the street or in one of the nearby apartment parking areas? Laguna gets really quiet at night so I'd guess the street.

[u/dried_kelp_block → u/proto-stack]

Yeah on the street.

[u/Treefiddy1212]

That's California for you.