New Cibolo police HEAT Unit targets car thieves, catalytic converter crime
KENS5, By Alicia Neaves, March 11, 2026
CIBOLO, Texas — Cibolo police have launched a new specialized unit aimed at cracking down on vehicle crimes that can sometimes be linked to organized groups moving through the region.
The department’s new High Enforcement Activity Team, known as the HEAT Unit, focuses specifically on vehicle-related crimes, including stolen vehicles, break-ins and catalytic converter theft.
The move comes as Cibolo continues to grow rapidly, with an estimated population of more than 40,000 — up from about 3,000 residents in 2000 and growing roughly 3.2% annually.
“We've really been running at it the past couple of months trying to get the name out there, get the public aware and get crime prevention tips out to the public,” said Officer Andrew Spilman, a member of the unit.
The team consists of two officers and a crime analyst who monitors crime trends and uses data to identify patterns, allowing investigators to concentrate patrols and enforcement in areas where vehicle crimes are most likely to occur.
"What we have seen is it’s the areas that have a closer access to I-35," said Spilman.
Catalytic converters remain a prime target for thieves because of the valuable metals inside them. According to precious metals market tracker KITCO, platinum is trading at about $2,100 an ounce, palladium more than $1,600 and rhodium topping $11,000 an ounce.
“They can take these catalytic converters off vehicles within minutes,” Spilman said.
Certain vehicles are targeted more often than others. According to Carfax, the Ford F-150, Toyota Tacoma and Toyota Tundra are among the vehicles most commonly hit for catalytic converter theft in Texas.
Meanwhile, Texas Department of Public Safety data shows the most stolen vehicles last month were the Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra and Hyundai Elantra.
Investigators say some thefts appear to be opportunistic, while others may involve organized groups traveling between cities.
“Speaking with other agencies, they’ve relayed that there are groups of individuals coming from different cities and targeting specific vehicles — whether that be for the vehicle itself or the parts on that vehicle,” Spilman said.
Police say Cibolo’s proximity to Interstate 35 can make the city an appealing stop for suspects traveling between larger metropolitan areas.
“They’re able to quickly get off the freeway, try to find their victim, then quickly get back on the freeway,” Spilman said. “Once they start, they like to get out of the city as quick as they can.”
Most of the crimes occur at night, when fewer people are outside and vehicles are often left unattended.
Investigators encourage residents to take simple precautions, including locking vehicles, removing valuables, turning on exterior lights and keeping their vehicle identification number, or VIN, accessible in case the vehicle is stolen.
Officers also recommend installing catalytic converter protection devices such as shields or guards to make theft more difficult.
“We’re constantly in neighborhoods on the streets with intelligence-driven information that’s going to pinpoint where they’re at,” Spilman said. “We have technology such as drones that we can check neighborhoods quicker than we can drive through them.”
The HEAT Unit is funded through the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority, a program administered through the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles that provides grants to law enforcement agencies working to combat vehicle-related crimes.
Cibolo police have also partnered with local automotive shops and plan to host community events in the coming weeks where residents can bring their vehicles to have identifying numbers etched onto their catalytic converters. Officials say the markings can help investigators identify stolen parts and assist with prosecutions.
“They have to get lucky every time to get away with these crimes,” Spilman said. “We just have to find them once.”
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