A Catalytic Collection: British Columbia RCMP seize 439 catalytic converters in B.C. theft, trafficking investigation
Burnaby, British Columbia — RCMP officers in Burnaby, B.C. have reported that undercover officers in a lengthy investigation have seized 439 stolen catalytic converters intended to be shipped illegally to the United States. The Canadian Press noted that RCMP said in a statement that its officers used search warrants on June 1st, 2023 at four […]
Thwarting Theft: B.C. inventor hopes to help curb catalytic converter theft with new alarm system
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia — Local B.C. inventor, Rod Newlove has created the Converter Defender alarm system with the hope of helping to reduce catalytic converter theft. The Converter Defender alarm system is designed to include a 135-decibel horn—which is nearly as loud as a jet engine—and a sensor attached to the catalytic converter. “Any […]
Cat People: ‘Save Your Cat’ anti-theft program launched Monday in Man., shops invited to join
Winnipeg, Manitoba — The province of Manitoba officially kicked off its counterattack against catalytic converter theft on Monday, with the launch of the “Save Your Cat” program, operated in partnership with Winnipeg Crime Stoppers. There are no felines in trees here, just a lot of Manitobans fed up with the rash of catalytic converter thefts […]
Cat Scratch: Manitoba expands catalytic converter engraving program following steep drop in thefts
Winnipeg, Manitoba — While much of the nation sits in a state of relative powerlessness when it comes to the theft of catalytic converters, a triple threat partnership between the province, the police and Winnipeg Crime Stoppers has greatly curbed theft rates in Manitoba, and its efforts are only becoming more expansive. On July 18, […]
Cat-astrophic Solutions: Edmonton Police offering $50K reward for solution to catalytic converter thefts
Edmonton, Alberta – Edmonton Police services has offered $50,000 to anyone able to come up with a feasible solution to the prevalence of catalytic converter theft across the province. The reward is being offered in conjunction with Millennium Insurance Corporation and the Edmonton Police Foundation. “Most people have no idea what a catalytic converter is […]
Shifting Blame: Dealership denies responsibility for catalytic converters stolen on its property
Orangeville, Ontario — A Hyundai dealership is in the spotlight after telling a victim of catalytic converter theft that the business was not responsible for thefts, since it was out of their control. According to a Global News article from Wednesday, a Brampton resident sent her vehicle to the dealership, hoping to replace a faulty […]
The Cat’s out of the Bag: Manitoba catalytic converter theft combatted by new scrap metal legislation
Winnipeg, Manitoba — New regulations have been enacted by the Manitoba government to combat increases in catalytic converter theft throughout the province. These new rules were put into place Monday and contain strict guidelines for record-keeping of transactions regarding scrap metal sales. Recyclers who buy scrap metal are now required to detail every transaction involving […]
Catalytic Attack: B.C. woman pepper sprayed during catalytic converter theft
New Westminster, British Columbia – A woman in B.C. says she was pepper-sprayed after two suspects allegedly stole the catalytic converter from her vehicle, according to a report by the New Westminster Police Department. “As the value of the precious metals contained within the catalytic converters continues to increase, so do the number of thefts […]
Catalytic Crime: Catalytic converter thefts on the rise in Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan — Catalytic converter thefts are on the rise in Saskatchewan, according to the province’s public insurer. So far in 2021, there have been 170 catalytic converter thefts reported to SGI—five times more than the year prior. “Right now, the cost of those claims is just over half a million dollars, and it’s also […]
Catalytic Conundrums Continue: SGI reports 107 thefts so far this year, a 103 percent increase from last year
Regina, Saskatchewan — Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) has seen a drastic spike in claims for catalytic converter thefts this year, CTV News Saskatoon reported last Friday. Last year, it received 34 claims. So far this year, 107 converter theft claims have been filed, reported the news outlet. Dean Matlock, the owner of Minute Muffler, says […]