Auto part remains hot item for thieves

RCMP say there have been 78 reported thefts of catalytic converters from vehicles in the Central Okanagan this year.

It’s a rising crime trend in B.C., and other areas, as thieves are stealing the devices for the valuable metals the contain (rhodium, palladium and platinum).

In an effort to try and catch some of the culprits, police in Kelowna are appealing to anyone that may have video surveillance of any possible, or confirmed, catalytic thefts to contact police immediately.

“As is often the case, our biggest investigational asset are vigilant community members,” Const. Mike Della-Paolera said. “Surveillance footage is an immensely helpful resource that we lean on for identifying suspects and their patterns that can lead to an arrest. If a thief knows they’re being recorded and the whole neighbourhood is on the lookout, they’ll be more likely to change their plans.”

A catalytic converter converts a vehicle’s harmful exhaust pollutants into less harmful emissions.

“The appeal of stealing one is less about resale value and more likely committed with the intention of selling it to a recycling facility for the small amount of valuable metal it contains,” Della-Paolera explained.

The officer said swiping a catalytic converter can be a noisy process.

“If you find yourself waking up to the sound of power tools in the early hours of the morning and spot a suspicious person underneath a car, please don’t hesitate to call the police,” he advised.

Here are a few tips you can follow to prevent theft of your catalytic converter:

• Park in your home garage, if possible,

• Use motion sensing exterior house lights if you park in your driveway,

• Park in a well-lit area,

• Keep a watchful eye in your neighbourhood and report anything that seems suspicious

Anyone who has surveillance footage or information about catalytic converter thefts is asked to call the Kelowna RCMP at (250) 762-3300.

People can also contact Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or leave a tip online at www.crimestoppers.net.