The RCMP in Nova Scotia are investigating a massive theft of catalytic converters at a school bus depot in Lucasville, N.S.
On June 30, the RCMP responded to a report of theft of catalytic converters from a property in Lucasville. More than 60 catalytic converters had been removed from buses on the property, say the RCMP.
The incident is just the latest in a spate of catalytic converter thefts in Nova Scotia and across Canada.
Earlier this year, Indie Garage reported on a significant spike in thefts, driven by the rise in the price of the precious metals used in the emissions control device.
Locally in Nova Scotia, this is not the first high volume theft to be investigated in recent months.
In April, the RCMP said they had charged a man related to an investigation of more than 90 thefts of catalytic converters in many communities across Hants County and the Halifax Regional Municipality. Several units as well as tools used for theft were found in the man’s home in Windsor, N.S. , said the RCMP.
Anyone with information on the recent school bus catalytic converter thefts is asked to contact the Halifax District RCMP at 902-490-5020.
Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.
Thefts across jurisdictions being driven precious metal prices
It’s not just Canada’s Atlantic coast that is seeing a rise. Jurisdictions across the country, and throughout North America, have seen a spike in thefts.
After a spate of cases, the Ontario Provincial Police said that incidents are often in smaller communities.
“As with any crime of this nature, the best offence is a good defence” Insp. Scott Semple, Lennox and Addington County detachment commander, said in a news release. “Practising a few proven crime prevention techniques can dramatically reduce your risk of victimization for thefts and other property crimes.”
The OPP said the thefts have been targeting smaller communities, and they have seized a number of stolen catalytic converters that were being transported through the community.
“While we have not yet seen a statistically significant rise in the number of these occurrences in our community, there have been a few occurrences in the past couple of nights of thefts, and attempted thefts, of catalytic converters,” the OPP said. “As well, the trend across the province indicates that thieves are targeting smaller communities and travelling back home with the stolen goods.”
The OPP said thieves looking for catalytic converters usually take them at night and mainly gravitate toward lots where a number of vehicles are parked. This includes car dealerships and carpool lots.
This is a massive country wide problem. Insurance companies are trying to get out of paying out. Automotive shop owners are bearing part of the brunt of this with paying for deductibles etc. I think there needs to be a task force on this.