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
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Baby boom amongst nurses leads to maternity ward closure in Listowel, Ont.
The emergency room at Listowel’s hospital is open today, but come summer, their obstetrics unit will be temporarily closing its delivery rooms.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.