Catalytic converter theft in spotlight after fatal shooting of 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor

Catalytic converter theft in spotlight after fatal shooting of 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactorof "General Hospital" actor Johnny Wactor who was gunned down when he caught thieves in Los Angeles ripping off the catalytic converter of his Toyota Prius.

Jim McDonnell, a former Los Angeles County Sheriff, told ABC News the quick money thieves are getting on the black market for the part outweighs the risk of getting caught because penalties have been historically low and the priority law enforcement agencies place on such crimes takes a back seat to violent crime.

"You can go in with a Sawzall and hit the exhaust on both sides of the converter and be gone in relatively seconds," McDonnell said.around 3:25 a.m. PT on Saturday when he interrupted three people, wearing masks and dressed in black, who had his car up on a floor jack and were attempting to steal its catalytic converter, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

He said many states have been cracking down on catalytic converter thefts by creating task forces to investigate such crimes and passing laws that increase the punishment for people convicted.In 2022, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the Comprehensive Catalytic Converter Theft law, requiring new car dealers to supply a catalytic converter serial number etching kit and creating a statewide database to track the sale and recycling of catalytic converters at scrap yards. In June 2023, Texas Gov.

"This national network of criminals hurt victims across the country, FBI Director Christopher Wray said at the time. "They made hundreds of millions of dollars in the process -- on the backs of thousands of innocent car owners."

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