PETERBOROUGH-Peterborough Police are investigating after nine catalytic converters were stolen from vehicles at a local dealership.
Officers were called to the business on Lansdowne Street West and Westridge Boulevard area on Wednesday, August 24.
Upon arrival, officers learned that nine vehicles had been damaged and that it is believed the thefts happened sometime between August 16 and 18, 2022. The estimated cost of the damage is $50,000.
Police say since the beginning of 2022 there have been 16 incidents of catalytic converter thefts. The thefts have happened to commercial vehicles, vehicles on dealership lots and personal vehicles.
One business was in the Rye Street and Lansdowne Street area had one catalytic converter taken around the 16th of February and over a dozen more were reported stolen from the same business on Wednesday, March 2, 2022. Another business in the Jameson Drive and Fisher Drive area had six taken off of vehicles sometime between the 18th and the 22nd of February.
At approximately 6:00pm on June 9, 2022, officers were called to the area of Water Street and Dublin Street. Upon arrival, officers learned that a man was approached by an unknown male demanding money. The suspect brandished a knife striking the victim on the arm. The victim suffered a minor injury. Police searched the area but a suspect was not located.
On May 2 reports indicated that a catalytic converter from a work van had been removed while the vehicle was parked at a business on The Queensway. It was noticed around 7:30am on Monday, May 2, 2022.
Peterborough Police want residents and businesses to be aware of these thefts and are asked to consider ensuring parking lots are secure and driveways are well lit.
