Thousands of catalytic converters found in Elk Grove

ELK GROVE, Calif. (KION) The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office and the Elk Grove Police Department found thousands of catalytic converters Tuesday.

Investigators served a search warrant in the Elk Grove area related to thefts and sales of catalytic converters.

During the search, they found about 2,000 catalytic converters and about $300,000 in cash.

Both the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office and the Santa Cruz Police Department say they have experienced a string of thefts, especially from Toyota Prius vehicles.

A catalytic converter uses a catalyst to convert compounds of the engine's emissions, according to AutoZone. Every vehicle is required to have one in the emissions system.

Santa Cruz police said they are the target of thefts when the cost of scrap metal increases because they contain metals such as platinum, palladium and rhodium.