Ottawa police warn about catalytic converters being cut off parked cars
Posted Mar 25, 2019 06:08:00 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Ottawa Police Service asking the public to keep an eye out for suspicious activity around parked cars in the city.
There have been nine reported catalytic converter thefts since February 28.
Officials say the vehicle of choice appears to be older model Hondas.
The theft is done by sawing off the catalytic converter while the vehicle is unattended for a long period of time.
The locations of the incidents vary from work parking lots, OC Transpo Park & Ride stations, and other business parking lots.
Investigators are asking the public to be on the lookout for anyone suspicious in parking lots with battery operated tools or back packs, and possibly looking at or under vehicles.
Owners of older model Honda vehicles are encouraged to choose a strategic location to park their vehicles. Suggested parking areas would be near a busy pedestrian area or near any known surveillance cameras.
According to arstechnica.com, converters contain small amounts of valuable metals like platinum, palladium, or rhodium, and command a good price as scrap metal.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call the East Criminal Investigation Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 3566.
Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or by downloading the Ottawa Police app.
