Catalytic converter thefts on the rise again in the Okanagan | 24CA News
Kelowna RCMP have stated there was an uptick within the theft of Catalytic converter which started round Christmas time.
However, it has elevated considerably during the last month and half.
“Honestly no car is safe,” stated Const. Mike Della-Paolera
“If it’s parked on the street, it’s parked out in a public area — they’re a potential target for these criminals.”
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In a automobile’s exhaust system, a catalytic converter controls and reduces pollution. A big rise within the value of treasured metals contained in these units has elevated the theft of catalytic converters.
Const. Della-Paolera tells Global News they now have a particular unit referred to as the Proactive Enforcement Unit take over the file to assist crack down on the theft operation.
“A proactive police unit is now fully engaged in trying to figure out who’s involved with this and arrest them,” stated Della-Paolera.
Paragon Motors store proprietor Drew Henderson stated the method to repair a automobile after its catalytic converter has been stolen shouldn’t be solely prolonged, however, expensive as nicely.
“Easy catalytic converter is easily going to run you $500 just for the part, forget the labour and everything else to put it in,” stated Henderson.
“Not to mention the fact that — let’s go back to it – they just hacked it out. They didn’t do it properly so I have other components I have to fix as well.”
Henderson stated that extra must be performed relating to laws and creating extra of a barrier for criminals.
He believes extra emphasis must be placed on licensing institutions to make it extra reliable and even including serial numbers to the catalytic converters.
“If the governments were to crack down on that, that’s going to help. It’s not going to stop them but it will help,” stated Henderson.
“Bad people will do bad things and you can’t stop the black market. But, if you make it harder, you make it harder.”.
To stop these thefts, the province modified laws in March of 2022, requiring steel sellers to report transactions and sellers to offer data.
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
