Stolen catalytic converters, cutting tools found during Santa Monica traffic stop 

A traffic stop in Santa Monica earlier this month led to the discovery of stolen catalytic converters and cutting tools in the trunk of a vehicle, police said over the weekend.

Officers pulled the sedan over on Bay Street for not displaying a front license plate on March 3, the Santa Monica Police Department stated in an Instagram post.

“During the vehicle search, officers discovered three catalytic converters in the trunk, one of which displayed a diagonal cut consistent with a metal cutting tool,” police said.

Officers also found metal saw blades and discovered the vehicle was not registered to either occupant.

Both the driver and passenger were issued citations for receiving stolen property and the vehicle was impounded, police said.

“Over the past six months, there have been more than 35 catalytic converter thefts, a problem that extends beyond Santa Monica and is impacting communities nationwide,” police said.

The public was urged to take measures to help prevent catalytic converter theft by parking in well-lit areas, installing catalytic converter theft deterrent devices and considering etching their catalytic converter with their license plate number.