Police, automotive businesses team up to catch catalytic converter thieves in Lebanon, Mo.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – In an effort to track stolen catalytic converters, the Lebanon Police Department teamed up with several 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.

For more information on the program click on the link https://www.lebanonmissouri.org/680/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

131 Lawson Ave

417-532-4211

Tires Brakes & More

1237 US Route 66

417-532-0850

Valvoline Express Care

438 N Jefferson Ave

417-532-1949

Many 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 the vehicle will be seen by a passerby.
• 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.

Police ask 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 doesn’t seem quite right.

To report a correction or typo, please email [email protected]

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