As BC comes off a record-breaking year of catalytic converter thefts, provincial officials are taking steps to stop thieves in their tracks.
Solicitor General Mike Farnworth announced Monday an amendment to the Metal Dealers and Recycler Regulation (MDRR), which regulates catalytic converters not attached to an exhaust system.
The exhaust emission control device reduces pollutants and contains pricey “precious metals” of high value to metal dealers—prompting a target for theft.
According to the province, the new amendment means metal dealers now have to report every catalytic converter transaction to police, including information about the seller.
Because sellers can no longer remain anonymous, BC officials say the change will help police find illicit sellers and disrupt the distribution of stolen items.
“We are changing the rules to better fight thieves who steal catalytic converters,” Farnworth said. “These thefts create costs and consequences to the livelihoods of British Columbians, and this change reduces the incentive to steal them in the first place.”
ICBC says catalytic converter theft has climbed from just 89 in 2017 to 1,953 in 2021, with claims jumping from $356,950 to over $4 million between that same time period.
Across Vancouver Island, police in numerous cities have notified the public of an increase in catalytic converter theft over the past year.
Last August, Cst. Gary O’Brien with Nanaimo RCMP said a 30-year-old prolific offender was facing multiple criminal charges after being caught “red-handed” with a catalytic converter stolen from a van owned by a children’s organization.
That same month, police in Campbell River reported four of the devices being stolen in as many days, as officers released a photo of the thieves in hopes someone with information would come forward.
