Agassiz-Harrison residents should take extra care when parking their vehicles.
Sgt. Mike Sargent, spokesperson for the Agassiz RCMP, told The Observer there has been a recent uptick in catalytic converter thefts over the course of the past month.
Catalytic converters are designed to convert toxic exhaust gas from cars into less harmful emissions. They have become the target of thieves in recent years due to their high resale value. The sale of cataylitic converters is not yet regulated, but the province has indicated they hope to regulate this in the near future.
Sargent said the best way to prevent catalytic converter theft is to take extra care where your vehicle is parked. A parking garage would be ideal, but parking in a well-lit area can also be an effective deterrent. The RCMP have also suggested installing alarms, straps or protective cages to protect against theft.
Any suspicious activity can be reported to the Agassiz RCMP by calling 604-796-2211.
– With files from Vikki Hopes and Jennifer Feinberg