Sunnyvale Man Shot Trying to Stop Catalytic Converter Theft

Sunnyvale DPS investigators are looking for four men who shot a car owner that tried to stop them from stealing his catalytic converter.

Investigators for the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety (DPS) are looking for the people who shot a man outside of his home. The man lived on Klamath Drive, just a few blocks away from Serra Park. Around 3:30 a.m. on Aug. 23, the man went outside to confront a group of people who were in the process of stealing the catalytic converter from his vehicle. The vehicle was parked in the man’s driveway.

Investigators say that during the confrontation, one of the suspects fired several shots at the man. One of the shots hit the man in the leg. The suspects fled in a “dark-colored sedan.”

The man received emergency medical care at the scene and was then taken to a local hospital by ambulance to receive further medical treatment. He is expected to be released from the hospital later today.

Catalytic Converter Theft Down

In 2019, catalytic converter theft increased as thieves found a way to make quick cash by recycling the metal.

Catalytic converters are made from precious metals like platinum, palladium and rhodium. They can also be made with gold in some instances.

These precious metals can fetch thieves a hefty sum when they turn them in for recycling.

Interestingly, USA Today reports that while the thefts started in 2019 and skyrocketed over the past few years, the thefts have actually declined in the past six months. According to USA Today, between January and June of 2023, catalytic converter thefts dropped by 43% when compared to the same time period last year. The site reports that some of the decline has to do with the drop in the prices of precious metals.

It can cost a car owner thousands of dollars to replace a catalytic converter.