Chilliwack – Shortly after noon on December 30, 2021, an RCMP Crime Reduction Officer (CRU) noted the Volkswagon Jetta parked along side an second vehicle at the back of a parking lot in the 5800-block of Vedder Road.
The vehicle together with the odd behaviour of its two occupants caught our officer’s attention,
said Corporal Mike Rail spokesperson for the UFVRD. Police computer data base queries, performed by the officer, confirmed the vehicle was not insured and associated to a theft of catalytic converter reported to Abbotsford police in December 2021.
The Jetta remained parked for almost a half-an-hour before a suspect stood up between the parked vehicles, allegedly tossed a catalytic converter into the Jetta and drove out of the parking lot.
Officers converging to the location quickly stopped the Jetta then arrested a 44-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman, both of Chilliwack. Police later released both individuals pending a court date in February.
Tips to prevent catalytic converter theft:
- Whenever possible park in a secure garage or compound
- Park so it is difficult to gain access under your car
- Install a product designed to deter catalytic converter theft such as protective cages, alarms and straps.
Tips to spot a catalytic converter theft in progress:
- Loud noises such as grinding or sawing noise from under a parked vehicle
- Hearing or seeing suspicious activity near parked vehicles.
Generally a cutting device is required to complete the act,
adds Rail. That sound from under a parked vehicle is often the key to recognizing the theft is occurring.
RCMP remind everyone who witnesses anything they believe to be suspicious in nature to contact police at 604-792-4611 or, should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
