Middlesex Sheriff’s Office shares tips on preventing catalytic converter theft

MIDDLESEX COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- The Middlesex County Sheriff's Office has shared several tips to help people prevent catalytic converter thefts.

Officials provided the following safety measures in a recent Facebook post:

• Park in a well lit area
• Install doorbell or trail cameras and make sure they have a clear shot of your vehicle
• Adjust the vibration sensitivity of your vehicle's alarm system if that's an option
• Park strategically:
  • For vehicles that sit lower to the ground, park close to a fence or wall to limit underside access
• Higher profile vehicles, such as trucks or SUVs, are favored by thieves because of easy access
• Paint your converter with a highly visible color and etch the VIN into it
• Go to a professional to get a plate or cage installed over the converter to make saw cuts more difficult

The sheriff's office advised people who find their catalytic converter stolen to report it to them at 804-758-2779.