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Man charged with thefts of catalytic converters

Almost 80 reported thefts in the Fraser Valley in last year
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A Chilliwack man has been arrested in connection with the theft of numerous catalytic converters across the Fraser Valley.

A Chilliwack man has been arrested by the Abbotsford Police Department (APD) in connection with the theft of several catalytic converters.

Brandon Joseph Richard Fast, 23, has been charged with four counts of theft over $5,000 and two counts of mischief to vehicles.

Fast was arrested following an investigation by the APD’s major crime reduction unit (CRU).

CRU officer Const. Jess Williams said the investigation involved a total of 78 reported thefts throughout the Fraser Valley from March 18, 2016 to March 28, 2017.

The catalytic converters were stolen from Dodge Ram diesel pickup trucks from the model years 2007 to 2012.

“With the assistance of a local recycling business, police were able to confirm that Fast has had over 34 catalytic converters in his possession,” Williams said.

Catalytic converters are devices attached to a vehicle’s exhaust system that convert toxic exhaust gases into less harmful emissions.

The devices are sold to scrap metal dealers or recyclers for a fraction of their actual value.