Longueuil police hold identification operation to curb catalytic converter thefts

LONGUEUIL, QUE. -- Longueuil police (SPAL) is holding an identification operation to tackle the theft of catalytic converters, part of the exhaust system sought by criminals because of the rare metals they contains.

• READ MORE: Catalytic converter theft on Montreal's West Island just one of hundreds in Quebec, police on alert

For a second weekend in a row, Longueuil police is inviting the owners of certain vehicles to come and have the catalytic converter of their vehicle identified.

Motorists must own one of the following targeted vehicles: 2010 to 2017 Hyundai Tucson, 2013 to 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe, 2020 and 2021 Mitsubishi RVR, 2007 to 2013 Kia Sportage and 2003 to 2009 Honda CRV.

Authorities explain SUVs are higher off the ground, making it easier for thieves to get underneath. Catalytic converters do not take long to remove, but are expensive to replace.

The identification process will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Longueuil police headquarters on Curé-Poirier Boulevard West.

Samedi 1er mai, de 9h à 15h : 2e journée d’identification de catalyseur. Le @PoliceSPAL invite les propriétaires de véhicules, résidants sur le territoire de l’agglomération de Longueuil, à venir faire identifier leurs catalyseurs. Détails : https://t.co/cEy4AsDng8 pic.twitter.com/c6P9ZTUBrf

— Police de Longueuil (@PoliceSPAL) April 28, 2021

Police say this is a permanent identification method that deters thefts because the stolen parts will be easily identified and paired with its rightful vehicle.

Last March, police in the South Shore arrested two men in relation to the stealing of catalytic converters. One of them had been arrested for the same alleged crime less than six months earlier.

-- this report by The Canadian Press was first published April 30, 2021.

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  Police in Longueuil on Montreal's South Shore will continue a catalytic converter identification operation to curb the scourge of thefts of the part which is targeted for its valuable metals. SOURCE: SPAL

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  They don't look like much, but catalytic converters are often made of expensive metals like platinum, which likely explains why theft of the car part is on the rise.