Okanagan Boys and Girls Club out $10K after vehicles damaged by catalytic converter thieves

For months, thieves have been stealing the catalytic converters from Okanagan Boys and Girls Club vehicles in Kelowna and Vernon, and the repair bill has grown to roughly $10,000.

Jarrod Stocker, director of facilities and transportation with the club, said three catalytic converters have been stolen from its vehicles at the Martin Center, 1434 Martin St., in downtown Kelowna over the past 10 days (Jan. 5 to 14). The thefts have been taking place each morning between 4 and 6 a.m. 

The cost to replace and install the converters is around $1,900 per vehicle, he said.

READ MORE: Catalytic converter thefts are on the rise in B.C. and they're expensive

"Our vehicles are parked in well-lit areas with a camera system. The people who do this are experienced and know what they are doing. We understand these are being sold on the black market," Stocker said.

In Vernon in late October, 2020, two catalytic converters were also stolen from club vehicles, meaning the non-profit is out almost $10,000 over the last four months, he said.

"Money that should be spend on programs and services to our children, families and youth at risk, is now being spent on fixing vehicles," he said.

RCMP continue to investigate the thefts.

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