The Wichita Police Department is partnering with area auto dealerships and repair shops in the launch a new initiative to crack down on rising catalytic converter thefts.
Operation Cat Guard is a new program that was originally announced in June after catalytic converter thefts had more than doubled from 2020, with over 700 converters stolen so far this year.
The precious metal inside catalytic converters is valuable and since most of them have no serial number, there is usually no way to trace them if they are stolen.
Operation Cat Guard will be helping to install 2,000 unique serial numbers on catalytic converters, and owners can then register the serial numbers into a national database.
The effort will take place on Saturday, August 21st from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the following locations:
- Mel Hambleton Ford – 11771 West Kellogg
- Midwest Kia – 8725 West Kellogg
- Orr Nissan – 10625 East Kellogg
- Davis-Moore Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat – 7675 East Kellogg
- Eddy’s Toyota – 7333 East Kellogg
- Mike Steven Volkswagen – 11211 East Kellogg Dr. N.
- Super Car Guys – 2337 S. Broadway
- Bill’s American Muffler Shop 3303 S. Seneca
- Midas 2820 S. Seneca
- Don Hattan Chevrolet – 6000 Hattan Dr. Park City
