Following the recent vandalism and catalytic converter thefts at Nelsons Aggregate Quarry, OPP officials say such thefts are on the rise in the region.
On Jan. 6, numerous vehicles and industrial machines were tipped over at Nelsons Aggregates Quarry, causing “severe damage,” and Orillia OPP officers found that several catalytic converters had been extracted.
OPP officials were not able to comment on the investigation following the Jan. 6 incident, as it is still ongoing, but said multiple sectors of the OPP are working to understand any trends in these types of crimes.
“It is an ongoing, active investigation. We have multiple sectors of the Ontario Provincial Police looking into the matter of these crimes,” Const. Derek Tilley said. “We are obviously doing our ops planning and running through … the nature of the crime, who's behind them, whether it's random acts or organized.”
Tilley said such incidents declined in Orillia through 2021 and 2022, although they have climbed in the broader region over that period.
“Central region has seen an increase in the amount of occurrences over the past two years,” he said. “We have seen a significant increase in the amount of catalytic converters being taken, and … they're coming primarily from commercial buildings and secluded residential driveways.”
Large vehicles that sit high off the ground are typically the target of such thefts, as it is easier to access their catalytic converters, Tilley said.
“Vehicles that seem to be targeted are bigger vehicles that are higher off the ground, obviously, (with) the ease of access getting to a catalytic converter, so we're seeing trucks, RVs, buses, those sorts of vehicles being targeted,” he said.
“As well, the majority of occurrences seem to be taking place amongst commercial buildings. secluded residential driveways, places where vehicles are better hidden and out of out of light.”
The OPP recommend people keep their vehicles in safe, well-lit areas, Tilley said.
“One thing that we recommend to people always is to keep your vehicles in well lit areas. Secure your vehicle, if you can, in a garage or someplace that is not open to people approaching it,” he said.
“If it's a well lit area, usually that deters people as well because there's more opportunity for them to be seen. If you have access to cameras, make sure that vehicles are parked within the view of the camera.”
Catalytic converters, an exhaust emission control device installed in vehicles, contain precious metals that make them attractive to thieves.
Nelsons Aggregates Quarry did not respond to several requests for comment.
