Published on March 03, 2022
The Kirkland Police Department is one of nine law enforcement agencies to announce a new joint task force that’ll focus on a growing crime problem on the Eastside – thieves stealing catalytic converters from parked cars. The nine law enforcement agencies on the task force include Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Bothell, Medina, Clyde Hill, Mercer Island, Issaquah and the King County Sheriff’s Office.
Police Chief Cherie Harris says the increase in thefts is dramatic - Kirkland saw a 271% increase in “cat-con” thefts in the last year. Thieves steal catalytic converters for the precious metals, which can cost car owners thousands of dollars to replace. The Kirkland Police Department’s work with other local police agencies to share information will help lead to more arrests and assist law enforcement in putting together cases for prosecutors.
For more informational resources provided by the Kirkland Police Department – including tips on how to prevent crime – please visit the City’s webpage.
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