CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is partnering with local businesses to offer free engraving services for catalytic converters, which have recently become hot items for thieves looking to cash in on the valuable metals they contain.

Engraving a converter doesn't prevent theft, but police said if enough people do get them engraved, it can be a deterrent.

And, if your catalytic converter is stolen, it makes it easier for officers to recover.

The engraving takes about 10 minutes.

The following locations will provide the service free of charge:

• Meineke Car Care Center 6447-A East Independence Blvd. 704/563-9513

• Firestone Complete Auto Care 5340 E. Independence Blvd. 704-535-2374 (and the new location on 10014 Monroe Rd. Matthews, NC 28105 that opens the last week of June)

• Griffin Tire Co. 5200 E. Independence Blvd. 704-536-2063

• Goodyear Tire 327 S. Polk Street Pineville NC 704-889-4055

• Fleet Truck 700 Griffith Road 704-525-6927

• Meineke Car Care 5235 South Blvd. 704-525-2168