Rash of catalytic converter thefts reported in Saratoga

"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. The victim was notified in a timely manner by an employee at the store where she went to buy the gift cards that it was a scam. No financial loss was reported."

"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."

A Saratoga resident reported identity theft after someone used personal information to open a gas and electric account that accrued about $633. A pop-up computer scam convinced a resident to attempt payment via gift cards, but a store employee warned the victim and no financial loss occurred. Multiple catalytic converter thefts occurred between Jan. 27 and Jan. 29 at locations on Lynde Avenue, McCulloch Avenue, Elvira Street, and Howen Drive, with individual losses ranging from about $2,000 to $4,700. A lockbox was stolen and an unoccupied residence under construction was entered, with a new television taken valued at about $1,833.

Read at The Mercury News