Police arrest 9, seize 66 stolen catalytic converters after months-long investigation
SGI says catalytic converter theft is a growing problem
Nine people have been arrested and 66 stolen catalytic converters seized after a months-long investigation, Saskatoon police say.
A catalytic converter — a device in a vehicle's exhaust system that converts toxic pollutants into less harmful gases before they are expelled — are often the target of thefts because of the precious metals they contain and what they fetch on the black market.
Police in Saskatoon say they've arrested eight people in separate investigations into catalytic converter thefts over the past two months. Collectively, the accused face 43 charges including theft, possession of burglary tools and mischief under $5,000.
Last month, police said they arrested a ninth person and seized 66 catalytic converters after a raid on a home 600 block of Central Avenue and at a business in the 2000 block of 60th Street West.
In that arrest, police say they also found financial documents leading to charges including trafficking of stolen property and possessing the proceeds of crime.
SGI says the theft of catalytic converters is a growing problem, with more than $2.2 million in claims since 2019.
In 2019, there were 29 converters reported stolen in the city. In 2020, that grew to 34 cases. In 2021, the number ballooned to 610. So far in 2022, there have been 410 converters reported stolen.