Calgary police say instances of catalytic converter theft are again trending upwards, with 90 thefts already reported so far in 2026. It can take just a matter of minutes for thieves to cut the car part from underneath a parked vehicle. The devices are stolen due to the precious metals inside of them. “Rhodium has started to leap up in price, and so that’s what’s leading the rise [in thefts] – the money that people can get from it, or perceived money they think they can get from it,” said Sgt. Nick Wilshire with the Calgary Police Service’s crime prevention team. In July 2023, salvage collectors and yards were ordered by the city to not deface or remove any identifying markers on converters. The bylaw expanded the following year to include autobody shops that sell used parts and motor vehicle repair centres. Businesses cannot accept a damaged or defaced catalytic converter, and must keep a record of the vehicle identification number (VIN), make, model, colour and year of the vehicle that the catalytic converter originated from. “It’s difficult to identify whether it has been stolen or not, so they have to ask some questions,” Wilshire said. Colton Williamson says his family’s SUV had its catalytic converter stolen in January while parked at his Pine Creek home. “It’s violating in a way,” Williamson said. “It was quick – just a few minutes – and there’s just nothing you can really do to prevent that.” Williamson caught the thieves on his home security camera. They cut his catalytic converter out from his vehicle in less than four minutes. “The whole situation is quite frustrating; you’re out of money, out of pocket,” he said. “We were out of a car for a month.” Williamson says he’s hopeful that police can track down the culprits. “There is not a lot of repercussions for these individuals, and they kind of feel like they can get away with it,” he said. Kal Tire and Calgary police launched an engraving program for catalytic converters in 2023. Alex Earl, operational performance manager with Kal Tire, says when the program began, there were thousands of appointments booked, but interest seems to have slowed down. “We do still provide the service,” he said. “So, if anybody wants to come into a Kal Tire and get the engraving done, they can do that.” Police suggest preventing thefts by engraving your converter, installing anti-theft devices on your vehicle and choosing secure areas to park. “We are aware of the recent rise in catalytic converter thefts in Calgary, with the McMahon Stadium area emerging as a repeat location,” police said in a statement. “These thefts are one of several property‑crime issues we are managing alongside daily calls for service, and while more resources would always help, we are directing focused attention to this trend based on analysis that identified it as a district priority. We have had success identifying offenders in the past.”
