Jay Leno is railing towards the light-weight punishment for most perps caught thieving catalytic converters as the L.A. criminal offense wave is turning lethal … precisely with the contemporary murder of “Normal Healthcare facility” actor Johnny Wactor.

The stand-up comedian and renowned automobile professional tells TMZ … it actually is outrageous the penalty for ripping off converters — ordinarily a $1,000 wonderful amounting to just a misdemeanor demand — is not vastly harsher.

JL delivers … The slap on the wrist most thieves get — if they even get nabbed — is the bring about they are so brazen.

The former ‘Tonight Show’ host pointed out it actually is against federal regulation for a car or truck proprietor to eradicate their incredibly personal converter — which some have achieved beneath the phony assumption there will be considerably much better efficiency — and it can outcome in a gigantic higher-excellent.

In California, the crime is merely a misdemeanor if the worth of the converter, or any stolen residence for that concern, is significantly less than $950 – which is why distinct vehicles are distinct. All converters have beneficial metals to be smelted down – the explanation intruders obtain them – but some models are significantly less highly-priced than other people. Hence, lighter punishment.

Leno tells TMZ, in most circumstances, it charges victims numerous numbers of bucks to swap a stolen converter. If that had been not damaging adequate … they might probably have to hold out months for the repair service simply because of to the enormous backorder … due to the truth of the enormous uptick in thefts!

In his estimation, the clowns driving the criminal offense are probable obtaining all about $20 a pop, which is why they steal so damn several.