Police statistics show spike of catalytic converter thefts between October and December

When Innisfail RCMP last week pulled over a suspicious vehicle that was later determined to be stolen, officers found methamphetamine and stolen catalytic converters.

The incident is just one example of a growing trend of thefts of catalytic converters from vehicles.

Data from Calgary police show the thefts spiked in the last three months of 2019.

In the previous two years, Calgary police statistics show an average of seven catalytic converter thefts each month between October and December.

In 2019, that number jumped to an average of 37 thefts each month for October to December, a 460 per cent increase.

While all makes and models of vehicles can be targeted, some in the transportation business say they’re taking a big hit.

Asim Riaz, owner of Go Calgary Shuttles, said he was preparing to drive a charter one morning last fall when he realized something was wrong with his bus.

“The whole exhaust system was off,” said Riaz. “Everything from the front to the rear.”

He said it would be impossible for one person working alone to do that much damage.

“You’d need at least two people, a vehicle, a drill and all that stuff,” he said.

The repair took 10 days and cost more than $10,000.

“The shop, they said you are not the only one,” he said.

Combined with the 10 days of lost business, he estimated the total cost from the theft at about $35,000.

“For us, it’s a huge loss,” he said. Sgt. Doug Crippen of the Calgary Police Service said metal theft of all sorts has been on the rise in Calgary, but catalytic converters are especially valuable because they contain certain precious metals.

He said larger trucks and buses are a more popular target for thieves because catalytic converters are worth more on larger vehicles, and are easier to access.

Crippen said while the converters are valuable as scrap, thieves aren’t getting prices anywhere near what vehicle owners have to pay to replace the part.

The part costs about $2,000 on average-sized vehicles, but Crippen has heard companies paying as much as $18,000 for larger vehicles.

He said police are working collaboratively with scrap metal dealers on the problem.

“If anyone were to show up with 20 to 30 catalytic converters today, and by the end of the week have another 20 to 30 catalytic converters, questions would need to be asked,” said Crippen, who urged drivers to be aware of the risk.

“It really doesn’t matter what type of vehicle you have. Everyone’s at risk, wherever you park your vehicle,” he said.

“We’re asking people to really critically think about where they’re parking their vehicle. Think about how the criminal would get access to it. If there’s any way that they can prevent or add barriers, that’s what we’d like to see.”

It really doesn’t matter what type of vehicle you have. Everyone’s at risk, wherever you park your vehicle.