Caught Catalytic Converter Thieves On My Andy IPC-Color4K-T Camera

[MikeLud1]

Early this morning, I caught catalytic converter thieves on one of my camera. It looks like both cars were not good enough for them. I was hoping to catch the license plate on my ALPR camera so I can report them, but no luck.

View attachment Clipboard_Cam7.20250305_044514-044549.90.mp4

View attachment Clipboard_Cam6LPR.20250305_044554-044555.91.mp4

 

[AlwaysSomething]

I've had some similar incidents where a few cars seemed like they were in "stealth" mode when going by my LPR cameras (even the IR light didn't reflect). It was crazy because I saw all the lights on the car in my other non LPR cameras.

I was able to catch one of the cars by my neighbor during the day to see if it had a plate cover or something but no plate cover or anything that I could see. Only thing I can think of is it was a brand new car and all the bulbs were LED (tail, brake, and even LP) and the LED frequency is causing the problem??? Either that or maybe some type of thin film on the plate and tail light covers that I couldn't see (I wasn't that close).

 

[PeteJ]

I've had some similar incidents where a few cars seemed like they were in "stealth" mode when going by my LPR cameras (even the IR light didn't reflect). It was crazy because I saw all the lights on the car in my other non LPR cameras.

I was able to catch one of the cars by my neighbor during the day to see if it had a plate cover or something but no plate cover or anything that I could see. Only thing I can think of is it was a brand new car and all the bulbs were LED (tail, brake, and even LP) and the LED frequency is causing the problem??? Either that or maybe some type of thin film on the plate and tail light covers that I couldn't see (I wasn't that close).

I've some cars around my area with fake paper plates, at night they are not reflective so it's very difficult to read. Sometimes they just take the plates off completely.

Here is what a legit paper plate in CA looks like, VI N and expiration is printed on the plate:



This is what I see on cars. Completely wrong font, but it does match up to a X3, just probably not that one. You can also see the Rav4 in the background without plates. The trunk of the X3 was filled with cats. I'm not say they are stolen, the guy might just be a cat enthusiast.

 

[IAmATeaf]

That looks like a piece of A4 printed paper covering the real plate

 

[Coldair]

around here there would be several neighbors standing around with suppressed SBRs telling the thieves you better pray the cops come quick before no cuts show up!!!

No Cuts is a free service that locates underground utilities before you dig

 

[Wallop]

I've some cars around my area with fake paper plates, at night they are not reflective so it's very difficult to read. Sometimes they just take the plates off completely.

Here is what a legit paper plate in CA looks like, VI N and expiration is printed on the plate:

View attachment 216992

This is what I see on cars. Completely wrong font, but it does match up to a X3, just probably not that one. You can also see the Rav4 in the background without plates. The trunk of the X3 was filled with cats. I'm not say they are stolen, the guy might just be a cat enthusiast.

View attachment 216993

Restaurant owner maybe? The steaks are small but tender

 

[elvisimprsntr]

Did the owners of the vehicles have cat anti-theft armor? Or the thieves were too lazy to crawl on the ground to take a chop saw to them?

 

[mat200]

I've some cars around my area with fake paper plates, at night they are not reflective so it's very difficult to read. Sometimes they just take the plates off completely.

Here is what a legit paper plate in CA looks like, VI N and expiration is printed on the plate:

View attachment 216992

This is what I see on cars. Completely wrong font, but it does match up to a X3, just probably not that one. You can also see the Rav4 in the background without plates. The trunk of the X3 was filled with cats. I'm not say they are stolen, the guy might just be a cat enthusiast.

View attachment 216993

Looks like we may need 2 LPR cameras now, one for traditional reflective plates and one for "paper plates" / non-reflective

 

[pal251]

I've had some similar incidents where a few cars seemed like they were in "stealth" mode when going by my LPR cameras (even the IR light didn't reflect). It was crazy because I saw all the lights on the car in my other non LPR cameras.

I was able to catch one of the cars by my neighbor during the day to see if it had a plate cover or something but no plate cover or anything that I could see. Only thing I can think of is it was a brand new car and all the bulbs were LED (tail, brake, and even LP) and the LED frequency is causing the problem??? Either that or maybe some type of thin film on the plate and tail light covers that I couldn't see (I wasn't that close).

We have Flock Safety cameras at work and its nearly impossible to get temporary tags off of vehicles.

 

[StevenFromTexas]

Texas has been a major contributor to paper license plate fraud in the United States. But effective July 1, 2025, metal license plates must be given to buyers at the time of sale. Temporary tags will no longer be available to be printed for use.

 

[PeteJ]

Remember that BMW X3 that I said had fake plates and had a trunk full of cats? Cops finally towed it. It wasn't because he was cutting cats unfortunately, someone OD on fentynal and happened to be next to the X3, and the X3 was illegally parked. They checked the plate, and towed it.