Rash of catalytic converter thefts reported in Saratoga

"Identity theft: A Saratoga resident reported that someone used their personal information to obtain an account with a gas and electric utilities company and accrued a bill for approximately $633. Jan. 27 Theft by false pretenses: A Saratoga resident reported that someone sent a pop-up notification to their computer, claimed the computer had a virus and convinced the victim to provide money via gift cards."

"Jan. 28 Vehicle tampering, grand theft: Between 6 p.m. on Jan. 27 and 6:45 a.m. on Jan. 28, someone tampered with a vehicle parked in the 13000 block of Lynde Avenue and stole its catalytic converter for a total loss valued at approximately $4,000. Grand theft: At 3:45 a.m., someone stole a catalytic converter from a vehicle parked in the 13000 block of McCulloch Avenue for a total loss valued at approximately $4,000."

Several incidents occurred in Saratoga over late January. A resident reported identity theft after someone used personal information to open a gas and electric account, accruing about $633 in charges. On Jan. 27 a pop-up scam convinced a resident to buy gift cards, but a store employee alerted the victim and no financial loss occurred. Between Jan. 27–29 multiple catalytic converters were stolen from vehicles on Lynde Avenue, McCulloch Avenue, Elvira Street and Howen Drive, with individual losses ranging from about $2,000 to $4,700. On Jan. 31 an unoccupied home under construction on Cumberland Drive was entered and a television worth about $1,833 was stolen.

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