100 more catalytic converter kits available to residents

(ABC 6 News) – Amid an uptick in catalytic converter thefts, the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office obtained 100 more marking kits for local residents’ catalytic converters.

RELATED: OCSO: Additional catalytic converter marking kits available – ABC 6 News – kaaltv.com

The program, which was launched by the State’s Commerce Department in 2021, works by adhering a special label to catalytic converters that transfers etchings of the label’s unique number onto the metal once the vehicle is started.

The kits are available through a partnership with the Minnesota Commerce Fraud Bureau Catalytic Converter Theft Prevention Pilot Program.

The process to obtain a kit is below:

• Kits must be picked up in person at the Government Center (101 4th St. SE in Rochester) at the 2nd floor Sheriff’s Office Civil Warrants window between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Vehicle VIN and Minnesota license plate number are necessary to register the kit.
• Register kit online HERE by following the instructions included in the kit. Register the kit BEFORE applying it.
• Marking the catalytic converter can be done by oneself, or contact a local dealer/mechanic/body shop to schedule a time to have it marked.

Under Minnesota law the removal of a number, even if it is owner applied, is a crime and can be used as evidence to show the criminal knows it to be stolen.

Furthermore, it is a crime for scrap metal dealers who receive, possess, transfer, buy, or conceal any stolen property or property knowing or having reason to know the property was stolen.

Thus, the program and state statute serves to communicate to scrap metal dealers that converters with fresh grind marks is an indicator they are stolen, and that they should be dissuaded from purchasing them.

For more information on the program, and to view the top vehicles targeted for catalytic converter theft, CLICK HERE.