Leamington OPP charge two in theft of catalytic converter

OPP have arrested and charged two men after responding to a report of a stolen catalytic converter in Leamington.

On Dec. 27, at around 5:15 p.m., a surveillance system recorded suspects removing the catalytic converter from a vehicle on Seneca Drive.

Police were immediately alerted about the incident. The vehicle owner was able to provide Leamington OPP with a good description of the suspects and the vehicle they used to leave the scene.

Later, a patrol officer spotted a matching vehicle on the road. The officer conducted a traffic stop to investigate further. As a result of the traffic stop, the vehicle's two occupants were arrested.

Kingsville residents Allard Maagdeleijn, 56, and Mark Grieve, 36, are charged with possession of stolen property.

They're scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 10.

A previous theft of catalytic converters was investigated by Leamington OPP earlier this month.

The same auto part was taken from two Salvation Army vehicles at the food bank location on Setterington Street sometime from Dec. 18-21.

Police haven't said if the two incidents are related.

A catalytic converter is required by law on every motor vehicle in Ontario. It's part of an automobile's exhaust system and is typically located in the undercarriage.

Thieves target catalytic converters because of the precious metals they contain: platinum, palladium, and rhodium.

Scrap dealers and metal recyclers pay money for catalytic converters.

Some vehicle owners attempt to protect their catalytic converters by welding the attaching points, or covering the part with steel mesh.

But such measures only slow down experienced thieves — they don't stop them.

When equipped with battery-operated tools, like a hand-held power saw and an impact wrench, a culprit can cut out and remove a catalytic converter in minutes.

Large automobiles that have plenty of ground clearance, such as SUVS and pickup trucks, are particularly vulnerable to this type of crime.

Earlier this month, London police warned their community about a “significant increase” in missing catalytic converters this past fall and winter.

Between early September and early December, 79 catalytic converters were reported stolen in London — a 50 per cent increase for the area over 2019.

Anyone with information about thefts like these is encouraged to call OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Anonymous tips can be made via Crime Stoppers at 519-258-8477 or catchcrooks.com.