Winnipeg thieves targeting catalytic converters

WINNIPEG — Drivers in the Kildonan area are warning people to keep a close eye on their vehicles undercarriage.

On Tuesday, Lyndsey Dick was leaving work to head home in broad daylight, when she caught two men, under her Honda Element in the parking lot, trying to steal the catalytic converter.

“I was shocked. I was like ‘I can’t believe this is happening,'” said Dick.

When the men saw her coming, Dick said they jumped in their van and quickly drove off.

“I caught them in the act. So they had severed the back half of the exhaust pipe just behind the catalytic converter, so it was hanging off the ground.”

Dick isn’t the only one to report a catalytic converter theft this week. Other drivers in the area posted pictures like this online, of their part being stolen, in the same area from the same car.

Scrap metal shops in the area say the theft is common. Auto recycler Darrell Reiser said the part contains a precious metal, and can sell for up to $600.

“I see it at my location, I see it at competitors locations. New dealerships, so on and so forth.

According to Facebook posts, thieves are targeting SUV’s, and stealing the parts in public parking lots.

Catalytic cages can be purchased for vehicles, which mount on, to protect the part from being stolen