Catalytic converter thefts are dropping across N.B. Here's why.
Fredericton police say no reports of converter theft so far this year, compared to 44 in 2023
Warmer weather used to mean sleepless nights for Kyle MacKinnon, the owner of Lincoln Auto Shop. His eyes used to be stuck on his security cameras all night to keep watch for catalytic converter thieves.
But so far this year, he has been able to get a good night's sleep.
Catalytic converter thefts are down in Fredericton this year compared to last year, according to Fredericton police, and MacKinnon has noticed it too.
"Knock on wood, this year we haven't had any issues. It seems like it's been better this year, and I'm getting my sleep."
In Fredericton, no thefts have been reported to date in 2024, compared with 44 last year, police said.
So far in Saint John, four catalytic converter thefts have been reported this year, compared with 30 the year before, according to Saint John police.
CBC News asked RCMP for statistics for Moncton and New Brunswick on July 22, but has not received them.
Mackinnon said he lost almost $11,000 last year because of the thefts of catalytic converters, which control emissions from a vehicle.
He said the reason for the decrease could be the new rules for salvage dealers introduced last year.
Public Safety Minister Kris Austin introduced amendments to the Salvage Dealers Licensing Act in October 2023 to make it harder to sell stolen catalytic converters and other commonly stolen goods, such as plumber's lead, brass valves, copper, lead flashing and copper wire.
Public
Safety Minister Kris Austin introduced rules that made it harder to
sell catalytic converters and other commonly stolen goods. (Ed Hunter/CBC)
Amendments included doubling fines for salvage dealers who don't comply, and prohibiting salvage dealers from paying cash for catalytic converters or other high-theft items.
Instead, they need to pay by cheque, e-transfer or another traceable method.
Salvage dealers are also required to record a government-issued identification document for high-theft items, along with registration information about the vehicle from which the catalytic converter was removed.
"Now [thieves] don't have a way to just go sell them," Mackinnon said. "There were always still a couple of the scrap places that were well-known that would still buy them under the table … but they have slowed down on that as well, by the sounds of it."
Tyler Mierzwa, a master's student in criminology at Simon Fraser University who focuses on catalytic converter and other metal theft, says the fall of metal prices could be another reason thieves are opting not to steal catalytic converters.
"When they go down in price, they're not as profitable to steal and exchange at metal dealers. So thieves go on to other things that are more profitable," said Mierzwa.
Criminals steal catalytic converters because they contain small amounts of platinum, palladium and rhodium.
Prices for all three metals began climbing in 2020 and 2021 before levelling off — or, in the case of rhodium, plummeting about 80 per cent from a high in March 2021 of almost $30,000 US per troy ounce, the measure used in weights of precious metals.
The metals in catalytic converter are falling in price, making them less desirable for criminals. (Nick Allan/CBC)
Mierzwa said the price drop is deep enough that it just doesn't make sense for criminals to target catalytic converters.
"[It] takes a decent amount of risk to steal a catalytic converter. It's loud, you're often confronted, or you have the risk of being caught at the metal dealer," Mierzwa said.
"When the profits just aren't there … the risk just outweighs the reward "
Metal prices can change, but MacKinnon hopes thefts stay down, partly so he can sleep well at night.
"I'll say knock on wood a million times because like it's, it's so stressful. And once it starts, you know that once one of them figures it out, they're going to all do it."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
David Amos
Surprise Surprise Surprise
Doug Ma
I think everyone remembers a time when they would cut those things off so they could burn regular leaded
David Conner
Reply to Doug Ma
Well everyone over sixty
Steph Roche
Reply to Doug Ma
nah
educated people understand the multi-dimensional potential of their mistakes
Doug Ma
Reply to Steph Roche
Every one did it back in the 70s and early 80s
David Conner
Reply to Doug Ma
Some did it, not everyone
David Amos
Reply to Steph Roche
Surely you jest
Steph Roche
Reply to David Amos
indeed
we do
Fred Emmersen Turner
Need to punish thieves and not encourage them
David Amos
Reply to Fred Emmersen Turner
Amen
Hugh MacDonald
For those who don't own a ICE vehicle: A catalytic converter is not a Catholic missionary.
David Amos
Reply to Hugh MacDonald
I am pleased to be informed of that
Steph Roche
there are some people who care so little for the current generations that they are willing to remove the catalytic converter and contribute more pollution.
Dave Hinzy
Reply to Steph Roche
Well they are replaced.
Steph Roche
Reply to Dave Hinzy
i do not advocate replacing people because of low eye cue.
Doug Ma
Reply to Steph Roche
You realize modern vehicles won’t run correctly now if the cat is missing…
David Amos
Reply to Steph Roche
Should I feel relieved?
Steph Roche
Reply to Doug Ma
Never had to replace one
now, with an EV
not an issue for me
Doug Ma
Reply to Steph Roche
I don’t really care
ralph jacobs
It's easier to steal te whole car now.
David Amos
Reply to ralph jacobs
Yup
Jimmy Vee
hmm are heat pump thefts up. They are very common in New England where in some area over 40% of homes owned are vacant during the winter.
David Amos
Reply to Jimmy Vee
Thats Interesting
Kyle Woodman
I wonder what they are stealing to make up for it? Same thing happens when the price of copper drops. No end to the theft in Moncton. Are reports of theft down, or just Catalytic Converters?
Jack Bell
Reply to Kyle Woodman
"Are reports of theft down, or just Catalytic Converters?"
I'm thinking just the CC's.
There have been a lot of break in's in my area the last few months.
Kyle Woodman
Reply to Jack Bell
Yeah there's an increase if anything. They will steal anything that isn't bolted down. Large garbage bins seems to be the new thing they are keying in on. Sell them on marketplace for $80.
David Amos
Reply to Jack Bell
I bet the folks with a big dog were not bothered
Matt Steele
Congrats to the Higgs PC government in identifying the problem , and taking concrete action to help slow the thefts . So many governments these days seem to study an issue endlessly , and take little action . It is refreshing to see a government actually doing something , instead of endless studies . Thank You Premier Higgs .
David Amos
Reply to Matt Steele
Yea Right
Ronald Miller
Great to see the PC gov't incorporating change for the better of all taxpayers yet again. I know the Liberals and their supporters are all for being soft on crime, and we have seen the damage that causes across Canada.
Jack Bell
Reply to Ronald Miller
All the bleeding hearts see is the government taking away a means for the resources sponges to support their addictions.
David Amos
Reply to Ronald Miller
You do love partaking of the blue Kool-Aid EH?
Allan Marven
As usual , NB last one on the bandwagon with this.
Ronald Miller
Reply to Allan Marven
Where did it say we were last? And you need to come out from underneath your rock, since Higgs came in the NB being last on most things has changed, and other provinces now look to see where we are going. Being a have not province, we will never be a leader on all fronts, but good to see the change this gov't has put in for the majority of taxpayers for the positive.
David Amos
Reply to Ronald Miller
Which rock are you under?
Akimbo Alogo
Catalytic thefts down...violent crime up. Ill take the converter crime, thanks. Time for police walking beats again downtown.
David Amos
Reply to Akimbo Alogo
Good point
Allan Marven
So CC thefts are down, but communication company copper still seems to be a hot commodity.
David Amos
Reply to Allan Marven
Go Figure
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