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Emergency 9-1-1

Victim pepper sprayed by catalytic converter thieves

New Westminster – The New Westminster Police Department is seeking public assistance in the search for two suspects who pepper sprayed a resident after stealing the catalytic converter from her car. Part of a vehicle’s exhaust system, catalytic converters are sought by thieves for the precious metals found inside them.

The victim was pepper-sprayed when she went to see what was causing noise that was coming from her driveway. After the assault, the suspects fled the area in a black truck. The theft and assault occurred in the 900 block of Chestnut Street on March 3rd.

“Officers arrived on scene and began collecting evidence and canvassing for CCTV footage,” stated Acting Sergeant Andrew Leaver. “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.”

The New Westminster Police Department strongly recommends that people witnessing a catalytic converter theft in progress to call 9-1-1.

 

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CONTACT PERSON: Sergeant Sanjay Kumar

PHONE: 604-529-2537