A man is facing multiple charges after being caught with a catalytic converter stolen from a van used by the Boys and Girls Club (BGC) of Central Vancouver Island, according to Nanaimo RCMP.
Just after 6:30 a.m. on Aug. 20, BGC staff discovered a catalytic converter had been sawed off one of their vans, rendering it useless. They reported the incident, as well as the fact the suspect was captured on video surveillance, to police.
Linda Janes, BGC Chase River manager, happened to look out the window and spotted a man riding a bicycle with what appeared to be a catalytic converter. She also noticed the man looked strikingly similar to the suspect in the surveillance video, according to RCMP.
Janes and another employee got into a vehicle and followed the man at a safe distance. They called police and told them what they were doing. The 30 year-old suspect was arrested shortly before 10:30 a.m. on Extension Road near Country Hills, according to police.
RCMP said the theft not only put the safety of the children at risk, but forced the cancellation of several outings and cost the BGC around $500 to replace the catalytic converter.
The unidentified man faces charges for possession of stolen property, theft under $5,000, obstruction and breach of probation. He was released from custody while police investigate, according to RCMP.
