Stanford University Department of Public Safety (SUDPS) reported that five catalytic converters have been stolen from vehicles in a Wednesday AlertSU notification.  

The converters, which are used in a car to control tailpipe emissions, were stolen between June 20 and Sept. 27. SUDPS reported that the affected vehicles were two Honda Elements, two Toyota Prii and a Honda Accord. SUDPS does not have any known suspects for the thefts, according to the alert.

According to Bill Larson, spokesperson for SUDPS, the Department of Public Safety has increased the frequency of patrols of parking structures and lots in order to respond to these thefts. 

“At this time of the investigation, we do not know if the suspects are affiliated with Stanford nor if the thefts are connected to one or more of the same suspects” Larson wrote in a statement to The Daily. “Catalytic converter thefts are a nationwide problem and not unique to Stanford.”

This article has been updated with statements from SUDPS spokesperson Bill Larson.

Georgia Rosenberg contributed reporting.

Contact Michael Espinosa at mesp2021 ‘at’ stanford.edu.