13/01/2023
Times must be hard up for these to be stealing catalytic converters. 🤦
I'd also be questioning the scrap yards who they are selling them to!
COMMUNITY ALERT | Queensland Police seeking public assistance for unique vehicle offence targeting precious metals
The North Brisbane Crime Prevention Unit is advising local car yards, dealerships, vehicle servicing centres, owners and drivers that a number of catalytic converters have been stolen from vehicles over the past two weeks.
On Monday January 3, a woman parked her car on Church Road, Taigum at about 7.45am. When she returned and started her vehicle she noticed a large noise coming from underneath her car, and closer inspection revealed her whole exhaust had been removed. QP230018369 refers.
At about 2pm that same day, a man parked his Grey Ford Escape in a Taigum shopping centre car park, near the doctors surgery, then a short time later a white single cab ute with a white tray park directly beside the Ford escape. A man got out of the ute and removed car parts from underneath the Ford Escape, and placed it in the back of the ute before driving off. QP2300015619 refers.
The below image depicts a man person who may be able to assist police with their inquiries.
A picture of a male person who may be able to assist police with their inquiries QP2300015619 - see below.
Between December 16 and Tuesday January 4, a car parked in an industrial area in Eagle Farm had the exhaust stolen. QP230020034 refers.
Between December 23 and 6am on Monday January 5, offenders broke into the yard of a business in the industrial section of Eagle Farm and stole catalytic converters from 14 different utes within the premises. QP2300024673 refers.
A catalytic converter is an exhaust emission control device in a vehicle that reduces toxic gases and pollutants. Thieves target these parts as they contain precious metals which can be sold to scrap yards.
Some security measures to deter these thefts may include:
If you have off-street parking, use it. Parking on the street greatly increases the risk of theft
If possible, park behind locked gates or in a locked garage
Paint the catalytic converter with bright coloured paint and engrave the vehicles registration number or VIN number onto the painted surface. This makes it easier to trace and may deter thieves from targeting the part
Don’t leave any vehicle raised up on a ramp or display stand, particularly in public access areas after hours, preventing easy and access to the vehicle/s underside
Install a movement detector alarm on the vehicle
Have vehicles displayed in public access areas contained in a well illuminated area which is covered by serviceable CCTV surveillance.
If you witness any suspicious activities in or around a car yard or dealership, do not approach the people and contact police immediately.
Report all suspicious activity to police – even the smallest piece of information can assist police in forming an accurate picture of the problem and adapting their patrols.
Police from North Brisbane will be increasing their patrols based on intelligence around this crime alert and are asking members of the public to report any suspicious behaviour to Policelink.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
Quote these reference numbers: QP2300018369, QP2300020034, QP2300015619, QP2300024673
