Due to an increased number of catalytic converter thefts, the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station Special Enforcement Team (SET), along with members of the California Department of Motor Vehicles – Vehicle Dismantler Industry Strike Team, performed business compliance checks at 28 separate locations within the cities of Lake Elsinore, Wildomar, and Temecula.
The business varied from repair shops, muffler shops, smog shops, and recycling centers. In total, 12 citations were issued to 12 separate businesses for various Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) vehicle code violations, which include unlicensed business operations, Sergeant Jeff Reese said in a news release.
Lake Elsinore residents Kellie Nelson, 39, and Victoria Kirkpatrick, 46, were arrested for outstanding warrants. Kirkpatrick was also given an additional charge of narcotics possession, Reese said. Raymond Fernandez, a 47-year-old resident of Lake Elsinore, was charged with possession of a controlled substance and violation of probation, according to jail records.
Additional leads into catalytic converter theft were generated during this operation, authorities said.
Catalytic converter thefts remain a high priority for the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station SET. Anyone with additional information regarding catalytic converter thefts is asked to contact Investigator Mills or Deputy Chambers at the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station at 951-245-3300.
The Lake Elsinore station shared the following tips to prevent catalytic converter theft.
- Park your vehicles in a locked garage or in a well-lit area.
- Engrave a vehicle’s VIN number to the catalytic converter.
- Weld the catalytic converter to the vehicle’s frame.
- Install a car alarm that detects vibrations.
