In an effort to deter would-be thieves and to track stolen catalytic converters, the Lebanon Police Department has teamed up with several local automotive businesses to participate in the “Etch and Catch” anti-theft program.
The Etch and Catch program works like this: When a vehicle goes in for a service at a participating business, the vehicle’s owner can request to have their license plate number etched on their catalytic converter. The business will also mark a line on the catalytic converter with brightly colored, heat resistant paint. This will be done free of charge. When thieves see the paint and engraved license plate number, they will hopefully leave the vehicle alone. If a thief is found in possession of a catalytic converter, based on the markings, law enforcement officers, or scrap yard personnel will be able to recognize the catalytic converter as being stolen. Area scrap yards should not accept a catalytic converter with these markings, nor should they accept them with evidence of the markings being partially or completely removed. We are sharing this information with them.
For more information on the program click on the link https://www.lebanonmissouri.org/680/Etch-and-Catch-Program. The following businesses support the Etch and Catch Program:
Big O Tires | 1701 W Elm St | 417-657-2027 |
Cole N Sons Tire & Auto Inc | 935 S Jefferson Ave | 417-588-4468 |
Ed Morse Chevrolet Lebanon | 285 W Elm St | 417-532-3114 |
Ed Morse Collision Lebanon | 735 Maple Ln | 417-657-0437 |
Ed Morse Ford Lebanon | 260 W Elm St | 417-532-3146 |
Graven Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram | 1755 W Elm St | 417-532-3157 |
Life Tire Service | 1480 W Elm St | 417-991-3800 |
Loving Hands Auto Repair | 1303 Deadra Dr | 417-991-3011 |
Pro-Tech Automotive by York | 333 E Elm St | 417-533-3600 |
Sakelaris Buick GMC of Lebanon | 2400 Evergreen Parkway | 417-532-3121 |
South 5 Auto Repair Starnes Auto Body & Glass | 131 Lawson Ave 22115 U.S. Rt. 66 | 417-532-4211 417-588-3159 |
Tires Brakes & More | 1237 U.S. Route 66 | 417-532-0850 |
Valvoline Express Care | 438 N Jefferson Ave | 417-532-1949 |
We thank our “Etch and Catch” partners for their collaboration to reduce catalytic converter thefts. Without their help, this program would not be possible.
People have asked what they can do to help protect their vehicles. Here are some tips to help prevent catalytic converter thefts:
- Get your license plate etched and your catalytic converter painted next time you are in for a service.
- Park in a secured garage when possible or in a well-lit area with surveillance cameras and/or where a passerby will see the vehicle.
- Install motion-sensitive lighting to illuminate driveways used for parking.
- Consider adding security cameras to oversee driveway and on-street parking areas.
- Research catalytic converter anti-theft devices and weigh the pros and cons of having one installed.
We are asking for the community’s support to prevent catalytic converter thefts. If you hear strange noises during the night, such as power tools or sawing, if you see a suspicious vehicle driving slowly through your neighborhood or stopped at the side of the road, or if you see/hear ANYTHING out of the ordinary, please call the Police Department at 417-532-3131. Oftentimes, cases are solved when an observant resident calls dispatch immediately when something does not seem quite right.
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