In search of a payday, thieves increasingly crawling under Sask. vehicles and cutting out catalytic converters
A Saskatchewan auto repair shop is noticing a troubling trend — more catalytic converters are being stolen out of vehicles.
A catalytic converter, also known as a cat, is a device found under a vehicle that controls emissions exhaust.
Dean Matlock, owner of Minute Muffler, says he gets about 20 calls for cat repairs per week.
“They’re going under with a cordless (saw), stealing them in broad daylight,” Matlock tells CTV News at his shop.
Depending on the converter, the repair cost can range from $500 to $2,000.
Matlock says the precious metals inside the part are making it a hot ticket item for thieves.
“Rhodium, the price on it has really skyrocketed. It’s probably 10 times than it was a year ago,” he says.
THEFTS ON RISE
Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) has seen a drastic spike in claims for catalytic converter thefts.
Last year, it received 34 claims. So far this year, 107 converter theft claims have been filed.
Saskatchewan business, Golden Mobility, has had five catalytic converters stolen in just three months.
Golden Mobility sells equipment such as walkers, scooters and accessible vehicles.
Owner Aaron Andre says last week, two catalytic converters were stolen from accessible busses used by a long-term care home.
“It’s super frustrating,” Andre says, standing by his fence that was cut open during the theft.
Andre has released surveillance footage on social media, that shows someone crawling under a vehicle and leaving with the converter.
UNDERGROUND MARKET EXISTS
Mark Riffel, owner of BN Metals Metal Recycling, says the converters are being sold on the black market since recyclers require ID.
He says sellers post ads on social media, meet up and do the sale in cash.
Riffel says the precious metals then are refined down, likely by another buyer.
Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) says it monitors social media for stolen property.
“At times, the item in question may align with an ongoing investigation where further follow-up is required,” SPS spokesperson Josh Grella told CTV News in an email.
So far this year SPS has had 135 reports of catalytic converter thefts — 56 occurred in June and July.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Woman, 18, killed by co-worker's vehicle on Highway 1 in Moose Jaw
Moose Jaw police say an 18-year-old woman who was at work has died from injuries she sustained in a collision with a vehicle being driven by her co-worker last Thursday.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
MPs to vote on NDP motion calling on Canada to recognize Palestinian statehood
Members of Parliament will vote Monday on a motion from the federal New Democrats, calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine,' among a range of other calls to action in regards to the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.