An Airdrie RCMP program is attempting to put a stop to the rampant catalytic converter thefts that have increased over the last year.
A catalytic converter is an exhaust emission control device on a vehicle that converts toxic gasses and pollutants in exhaust gas into less-toxic pollutants by catalyzing a redox reaction. According to local RCMP, the main issue when converters are recovered is that it is difficult to link them back to their owner.
“We did make one arrest in the spring – we executed a search warrant on a residence in the city and recovered shells from about 15 catalytic converters,” said Airdrie RCMP Cpl. Rachel Pergunas, who is leading the new program. “They're opening them up and taking the valuable stuff out and then selling them.”
The lack of ability to identify the victims challenges the ability for police to prosecute offenders.
In order to assist the police in solving these thefts, Airdrie RCMP is partnering with local mechanic shops, offering customers the option to etch a vehicle’s identification number (VIN) on the converter at no expense when servicing a vehicle.
Several local shops have already joined the program and received a free engraver from the RCMP.
“The hope is when we pull a vehicle over and someone has a catalytic converter in the vehicle, that with these etched converters, we will be able to lay charges and have better prosecution rates,” Pergunas explained.
She added the Calgary Police Service is also pushing for more accountability from recyclers when the metals from within these converters are brought in.
“There's a number of precious metals in there that are quite valuable that the recyclers pay good money for. That's where we need to get the recycling facilities on board for not taking this from sketchy sources,” Pergunas said.
Once the internal metals are sold, thieves are left with the bulky metal converter shells that are hard to hide or get rid of.
Pergunas added they’re also not easy to steal. Thieves have to jack up the car and grind off the metal attachments, which can be quite loud.
“They're doing this at three or four in the morning,” she said, though acknowledged some thieves can be more brazen in their approach.
“Other things were happening like going to CrossIron Mills Mall during the day, during business hours, and cutting them off in the parking lot, just because it's such a busy place and they hope people don't notice or people aren’t paying attention.”
She said it’s usually the same groups committing these thefts and they have become quite efficient at it.
While it’s difficult to catch them in the act, Pergunas said the nice thing is that many people have doorbell cameras now, which can help identify or describe thieves if they show up on camera.
As the program only just launched, Pergunas said Airdrie RCMP has yet to see the results. Worst case scenario, she said, it forces thieves to think twice about stealing a catalytic converter or take extra steps to protect themselves.
“If we can make it harder for them, that's a bonus,” she said.
Auto repair shops Dandy Auto Marine Ltd and Stand Fast Auto Repair both signed up for the program and recently received their engravers.
“We're offering it to customers when they come in for service, free of charge,” said Adrianne Glenn from Dandy’s. “Anything to prevent or try and prevent theft.”
She said Dandy’s has seen a lot more catalytic converter thefts since January and added these vehicles are often written off due to the high cost of replacing the converters.
To encourage uptake in the program, Zuzanna Grant from Stand Fast suggested insurance companies offer discounts of one or two per cent on their insurance if customers can show proof they had their converters engraved.
“We're tired of seeing people having had their converters removed, it's got to stop and it's got to be traced somehow,” Grant said about why the shop chose to participate in the program.
“I hope it works. Even if they can turn around and at least trace these converters back so the insurance companies can somehow reimburse these people.”
Pergunas noted that the manufacturers of these converters should be stamping them from the factory.
To participate in the program, contact Pergunas at 403-945-7200.
