Times Chronicle Staff
Catalytic converter thefts in the regional district are causing headaches for authorities.
Since June 1, there have been 16 reports of converter thefts in Oliver, according to the RCMP.
Sergeant Don Wrigglesworth said four of these (in the same fenced compound) were from motorhomes in storage in the Gallagher Lake area.
“These thefts happened almost exclusively at night under the cover of dark,” he said.
Wrigglesworth said parking in a lit and secure area is recommended whenever possible.
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has increased security measures including additional lighting and video surveillance after thieves recently stole the catalytic converters from four of its vehicles.
It is expected to take several weeks to fix them, and in the meantime, parks maintenance may be impacted in different communities.
A catalytic converter is part of a vehicle’s exhaust system that controls and reduces pollutants in exhaust emissions.
According to ICBC, theft of catalytic converters has risen due to a significant increase in the price of precious metals contained in these devices.
The regional district says it will also conduct active patrols in the area.
