Catalytic converter thefts on the rise in Comox Valley
RCMP in the Comox Valley are reporting a dramatic spike in thefts of catalytic converters and are passing along tips for drivers to make their vehicles less attractive to thieves looking to steal the devices.
According to Const. Monika Terragni of the Comox Valley RCMP, 15 converters were stolen from vehicles from May 1 to June 4, compared to five converter thefts in the month of April.
“It is a significant increase that we’ve noticed,” Terragni says. “It might be the same people, it might be the same group of people. There’s a number of municipalities and areas within B.C., within the Lower Mainland and on the island that have seen an increase.”
Police believe the increase is likely due to the increase in value of the precious metals that are found inside the units.
“The thieves have to go and steal the catalytic converter from the vehicle, that involves going underneath the vehicle, quite often it is in the cover of darkness so it’s definitely very important to give us a call with any kind of suspicious activity that you see” Terragni says.
Terragni recommends motorists have their mechanics etch a number into the converter so if it is stolen, police have a way of tracking it.
Catalytic converter theft is a problem that Garret Cole, assistant manager of Midas Mufflers in Courtenay, says has been around for a while.
“We see them every year, two or three times per year, prevalent in places that people know their car is going to be sitting there all day, Cole says, noting ferry terminals are a popular spot.
He says the thefts are a larger problem for drivers of older vehicles for which parts can be more difficult to source.
“It can cause quite a headache,” he says. “It’s not an inexpensive piece and it’s not an easy job – very few shops still do this stuff.”
Cole recommends parking your vehicle in a high-traffic area and avoiding leaving it in a remote area overnight, something the RCMP agree with.
‘If you’re parking outside, park in an area that makes the undercarriage of your vehicle less accessible to thieves, whether it’s beside another vehicle or beside a wall,” Terragni says.
The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia doesn’t have any statistics available for 2021, but says there were approximately 1,025 catalytic converter theft claims in B.C. last year.
ICBC indicates the average cost of each of those claims was $2,117, which is covered under comprehensive insurance.
Tips from ICBC:
- Park your vehicle in a well-lit area
- If you have a garage or locked area, park your vehicle there overnight
- Report all catalytic converter thefts (or attempted thefts) to the police as soon as possible
- Some vehicles can have security devices installed or welded to their frame. You may also want to consider engraving your car’s VIN into the catalytic converter
- Adjust the security system on your car, if already installed, to activate from vibrations, such as those produced by a saw.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
developing Bus plunges off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people. An 8-year-old child is only survivor
A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in South Africa on Thursday, killing at least 45 people, authorities said.
Calgary bridges remain closed due to ongoing police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Kinew, Poilievre meet at Manitoba legislature, discuss each other's priorities
Premier Wab Kinew and federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre met at the Manitoba legislature Thursday afternoon.
Biden OKs US$60M in aid after Baltimore bridge collapse as governor warns of 'very long road ahead'
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore warned Thursday of a 'very long road ahead' to recover from the loss of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge as the Biden administration approved US$60 million in immediate federal aid after the deadly collapse.