Union County and the National Insurance Crime Bureau held a free program Saturday to combat a rise in catalytic converter thefts around the county.

A catalytic converter etching program in locations across the county hopes to lower the number of thefts by helping vehicle owners mark their catalytic converters.

"The catalytic converters contain precious metals that have become very valuable," explained Union County First Assistant Prosecutor Jim Tansey. "We're etching them and then we're painting them with a very bright florescent colored paint, so when the perpetrators look under the car, they notice immediately that that catalytic converter is etched. Consequently, if they're caught with it, they can be charged with receiving stolen property."

Ana-Cristina Matamoros was a victim of catalytic converter thefts who showed up to the event. She said someone stole hers several months ago.

"They cut the piece off, I watched it on the video, and they took my catalytic converter in like three to four minutes," Matamoros said. "It's very easy for people to get taken advantage of in this situation. So be mindful, lock your cars. Even if they don't take the car, they can still take things that are connected to the car."