A recent rash of auto part thefts from vehicles in parking lots around campus have increased in the past month.

“Apparently there are four bolts, and if you have a hand tool it can take you five minutes to remove the catalytic converter,” ECPD Sgt. Dal Toruno said “The ones that are easy to remove are the ones that they are hitting.”

Catalytic converters are emission control devices that are apart of the exhuast system. The converters convert harmful pollutants into less harmful pollutants before they are released.

Thieves are stealing catalytic converters due to the metal platinum that is inside the converter. The thieves can make a few hundred dollars by selling them to junkyards or auto repair shops.

The thefts have been occurring in Lots F, H and L, and thieves have been targeting Toyota Tacomas, Honda CRVs and Elements, Toruno said.

“They usually have two or three people,” Toruno said. ” There’s one person taking the converter, a look out and a driver.”

Thieves have been targeting Toyota and Honda SUVs and trucks since they are higher off the ground and have easier access.

Over the past for 40 days approximately 10 vehicles have had their catalytic converters stolen. The thefts have been occurring during the day between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

“We’re aggressively investigating, my thing is to catch these people,” Toruno said.

Victoria Spinosa, 19, applied physics major had her catalytic converter stolen from her Honda Element in Lot L.

“I come back to my car at 3 p.m. and I get in and it sounds completely different. It sounded like a Harley Davidson mixed with a tractor,” Spinosa said.

The thefts are costing victims hundreds of dollars to replace the converters and can be a burden for many.

“It cost about $1,700 dollars to replace it, and my dad and I welded a cage around it so no one will steal it again,” Spinosa said.

El Camino isn’t the only place with an increased amount of catalytic converter thefts, Gardena has seen a recent increase in the thefts too.

“We’ve seen a dramatic increase in the past month,” Gardena Police Lt. Russ Temple said. “They come in waves, one month it’ll be down then the next month it’ll increase.”

In the past 10 days, three catalytic converters have been reported stolen in Gardena, according to Temple.

In previous years other cars such as Toyotas and Hondas were heavily targeted.

“It only takes minutes to remove them. They are using battery operated saws to cut them right out, and we always get there too late,” Temple said.