The Vancouver Police Department is advising eastside and southeast-side residents in the city to be aware of a rash of catalytic converter thefts this June and July.

 A total of 41 thefts have been reported in an area bordered by Ontario Street and Fraser Street to the west, Marine Drive to the south, Boundary Road to the east, and 1st Avenue to the north. Twenty-three thefts were reported in June and 18 have been reported so far this month.

 “We’re typically seeing these incidents happening between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. under cover of darkness,” says Sgt. Adam Donaldson. “Thieves use angle grinders or portable saws and can be finished in a minute or so.”

“Catalytic converters contain precious metals like platinum, palladium, and rhodium. Rhodium alone is worth more than $9,000 per gram in Canada. Once removed, the converters are generally sold to scrap metal dealers. The result for the victims of these thefts is a costly insurance deductible, as well as the frustrating inconvenience of having to get their vehicles repaired.”

 The most common vehicles targeted are SUVs and other vehicles with high ground clearance, including:

• Toyota Highlander
• Toyota 4Runner  
• Lexus RX (RX330 RX350)
• Hyundai Tucson
• Hyundai Santa Fe

Police recommend drivers park in well-lit areas, and:

• Safeguard rear access to the vehicle by parking against a wall, or obstruction, making it difficult to access the catalytic converter
• Park indoors where possible
• Consider purchasing catalytic converter cover or shield
• Consider vehicle alarm with motion or vibration sensor
• Consider motion sensitive cameras in area where vehicle is parked