Burnaby RCMP is warning car owners about a spike in catalytic converter thefts like those being reported in other Lower Mainland cities.
Last week, Richmond RCMP warned of an uptick in such thefts in that city.
On Monday, Surrey RCMP charged two men in connection with a string of catalytic converter thefts there and in Vancouver.
Burnaby hasn’t been immune, according to spokesperson Cpl. Daniela Panesar.
“We are noticing it with increasing frequency in industrial areas where there are a higher number of vans and pick-up trucks,” she stated in a press release Tuesday. “Industrial areas are less populated during the evenings and weekends when most of these thefts are occurring. This makes these areas especially vulnerable to crime.”
Panesar said the average price for a used catalytic converter at a scrap yard is between $75 and $500 but replacing a stolen part can cost vehicle owners thousands of dollars depending on the vehicle type.
“These thefts are very costly to vehicle owners and we would ask scrap metal dealers to think twice before purchasing a catalytic converter from an individual who is unable to explain its origins,” Panesar said.
Burnaby RCMP is urging vehicle owners to take steps to prevent the thefts:
- Install, weld and bolt a wire cage around the converter to the underside of the motor vehicle
- Have your licence plate number or VIN etched into the converter
- Install catalytic security devices (Catstrap or CatClamp)
- Park in a garage or inside a secure, well-lit, fenced area equipped with surveillance cameras
Anyone with information relating to these thefts is asked to contact the Burnaby RCMP at 604-646-9999.
To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online at www.solvecrime.ca.
