A New West resident was pepper sprayed by two suspects who were stealing the catalytic converter from her car in the middle of the night.
The New Westminster Police Department is seeking the public’s help in locating two suspects who pepper sprayed a resident when she caught them stealing the catalytic converter from her car. Police say the victim was pepper-sprayed when she went to see what was causing noise that was coming from her driveway
The theft and assault occurred in the 900 block of Chestnut Street on Thursday, March 3 at about 3:12 a.m. Following the assault, the suspects fled the area in a black truck.
“Officers arrived on scene and began collecting evidence and canvassing for CCTV footage,” Acting Sgt. Andrew Leaver said in a news release. “If anyone knows about catalytic converter thefts in the city, please get in touch with an officer. As the value of the precious metals contained within the catalytic converters continues to increase, so do the number of thefts of these devices.”
Part of a vehicle’s exhaust system, catalytic converters are sought by thieves for the precious metals found inside them.
“The catalytic converter thefts, they come in waves. Right now I think it’s a pretty high time where thefts are happening,” NWPD spokesperson Sgt. Sanjay Kumar told the Record. “The timing is usually unpredictable. The timing is usually in the middle of the night.”
The New Westminster Police Department strongly recommends that people call 911 if they’re witnessing a catalytic converter theft in progress.
