Following the recent vandalism and catalytic converter thefts in Orillia, OPP officials say such thefts are on the rise.
On Jan. 6, numerous vehicles and industrial machines were tipped over at Nelsons Aggregates Quarry, causing “severe damage,” and Orillia OPP officers found that several catalytic converters had been extracted.
OPP officials were not able to comment on the investigation following the Jan. 6 incident, as it is still ongoing, but said multiple sectors of the OPP are working to understand any trends in these types of crimes.
“It is an ongoing, active investigation. We have multiple sectors of the Ontario Provincial Police looking into the matter of these crimes,” Const. Derek Tilley told OrilliaMatters. “We are obviously doing our ops planning and running through … the nature of the crime, who's behind them, whether it's random acts or organized.”
Near North Crime Stoppers and the Nipissing West Detachment of the OPP recently asked for the public’s assistance in identifying the thieves responsible for the theft of catalytic converters at the West Nipissing landfill site.
See: Theft of catalytic converters target of Crime Stoppers
Last year someone went to a Hydro One worksite, where multiple vehicles and trailers were parked overnight and a catalytic converter was stolen from a Ford F250
See: Another catalytic converter stolen along with trailer
“Central region has seen an increase in the number of occurrences over the past two years,” Tilley said. “We have seen a significant increase in the amount of catalytic converters being taken, and … they're coming primarily from commercial buildings and secluded residential driveways.”
Large vehicles that sit high off the ground are typically the target of such thefts, as it is easier to access their catalytic converters, Tilley said.
“Vehicles that seem to be targeted are bigger vehicles that are higher off the ground, obviously, (with) the ease of access getting to a catalytic converter, so we're seeing trucks, RVs, buses, those sorts of vehicles being targeted,” he said.
“As well, the majority of occurrences seem to be taking place amongst commercial buildings. secluded residential driveways, places where vehicles are better hidden and out of the light.”
The OPP recommend people keep their vehicles in safe, well-lit areas, Tilley said.
“One thing that we recommend to people always is to keep your vehicles in well lit areas. Secure your vehicle, if you can, in a garage or someplace that is not open to people approaching it,” he said.
“If it's a well lit area, usually that deters people as well because there's more opportunity for them to be seen. If you have access to cameras, make sure that vehicles are parked within the view of the camera.”
Catalytic converters, an exhaust emission control device installed in vehicles, contain precious metals that make them attractive to thieves.
