The Bellevue Police Department today asks community members across the city to stay vigilant and contact law enforcement following a rising trend of catalytic converter thefts so far this year.
According to the department’s Data Analysis Unit, about 16 catalytic converter thefts have occurred since January 2026, including one that was stolen yesterday during the day. In 2025, only 14 such theft incidents occurred all year. Theft cases this year have primarily occurred in the city’s Eastgate neighborhood and during daytime hours when motorists have utilized park and ride services.
Criminals often target catalytic converters in hybrid vehicles or trucks and seek this equipment because it contains precious metals of high value. Converters are very easy to steal and sell for fast cash. Bellevue Police saw a spike in these theft incidents as recently as 2021 and 2022 when suspects stole 452 and 439 catalytic converters respectively each year.
Law enforcement are not seeing converter theft incidents at the same level as previous years. However, community members should abide by the following proactive measures that could prevent their vehicles from being the target of a future crime:
- Install a catalytic converter shield or cage
- Weld the converter to the vehicle’s frame
- Engrave vehicle’s VIN number onto converter
- Purchase and use a catalytic converter alarm
Bellevue Police always ask community members to call 911 should they see something suspicious or experience an emergency. They should also call the department’s non-emergency line at 425-577-5656 if they wish to report a theft.
Bellevue Beat Blog 