7 catalytic converter thefts in a single day in Delta, police say
Police in Delta say there has been another rise in the number of catalytic converter thefts occurring across the city, highlighted by seven thefts in a single day this week.
The converters, which are part of the exhaust system on gas-powered vehicles, reduce the amount of toxic gases that a vehicle emits into the air.
On Thursday, June 17, police were called to seven different reported catalytic converter thefts around the city. Details of the individual incidents were as follows.
- Two thefts were reported on Progress Way in Ladner
- Two separate businesses on Derwent Way in North Delta reported thefts
- A theft from an RV on Clivedon Place
- Two catalytic converters stolen from a Toyota truck parked in front of a residence on 74A Avenue
- One catalytic converter stolen from a vehicle on a driveway on 117 Street
Those incidents followed one on Friday, June 11, in a parking lot at Tsawwassen Mills shopping centre, according to Delta police.
In that incident, a truck owner reported to police that he had seen a man holding a battery-operated "sawzall" standing next to his vehicle.
“Not surprisingly, the vehicle owner thought the man with the saw looked suspicious,” said Delta police spokesperson Cris Leykauf, in the release.
“The man realized he was being watched and went under the truck, apparently then slicing the bottom corner of the fuel tank, causing a fuel leak," Leykauf added.
Police officers, firefighters and the truck owner captured approximately half of the fuel in large evidence bags, police said, adding that the suspect fled the scene in another vehicle.
Delta police say the theft of catalytic converters is "an ongoing issue across the region." Thieves steal the device, because the salvage price of the metal inside it is high.
"In some cases police are aware that individuals are also purchasing these sliced off catalytic converters, potentially for resale," Delta police said in their release.
According to police, vehicle owners can guard against catalytic converter theft by parking inside a garage or in a well-lit area, parking in a secured lot with a guard and in view of security cameras, and by reporting any suspicious activity they see.
"Police also continue to recommend that commercial fleet operators and owners of RVs and large trucks have their catalytic converters etched with the vehicle licence plate," police said in their release.
They're also encouraging people to consider having the catalytic converters on their personal vehicles etched.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
'It’s discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.