A spot where thieves cut out the catalytic convertor for a Dodge 2500 series truck at Auto City Portsmouth recently. As seen Thursday, July 7, 2022. (Stephen M. Katz/The Virginian-Pilot)
WILLIAMSBURG — It was a normal day for a local nonprofit — until a staff member tried to start one of the vans.
After a noise that “sounded like a bomb went off,” The Arc of Greater Williamsburg discovered that parts of their vans had been stolen, resulting in $3,000 in damage.
The catalytic converter, an exhaust emission control device that usually contains three expensive metals, was stolen from three of The Arc’s vans on Wednesday. The organization uses the vans to take adults with disabilities to their jobs or other activities in the area.
“It’s just kind of heartbreaking to think somebody would steal from a nonprofit that serves people that are underserved already, marginalized people who are just trying to live their lives and get to their job,” said Pam McGregor, the executive director of The Arc. “We thought it was important to let the community know because there are so many of us that have vans.”
McGregor said Arc staff went to neighboring businesses that have large vehicles and warned them to take precautions. The vandalized vans were in a well-lit area close to the business on Strawberry Plains Road, but it was in a back parking lot with no cameras.
“We’ll do what we can. We’ll be talking to our landlord about getting some cameras,” McGregor said. “It would be worth it for everyone to look into that.”
The Williamsburg Police Department noted that the catalytic converters seemed to have been cut off by a hand saw, which is the most common way these parts are stolen, police said. There have been other similar incidents in the area, according to a police spokesperson. In Hampton Roads, catalytic converters being stolen has been a rampant issue.
Some precautions include installing a cage for the converter that makes it more difficult to remove or engraving the vehicle’s VIN number to the converter, which will discourage illegal re-selling — both are options The Arc is looking into, McGregor said.
The Arc had insurance on the vehicles, so they will pay about half of the cost. However, the parts won’t be delivered until the end of the month.
“Our clients that are in wheelchairs are just kind of out of luck for three weeks or so,” McGregor said. “These vans have done a lot of good every week, done a lot of good for the people we serve, so it’s disheartening. $1,500 is an expense we weren’t expecting, but it’s not so much the money. It’s just the people it impacts.”
If you or anyone you know have any information about this incident, contact the Williamsburg Police Department at 757-220-2331 or the crime line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP. Callers to the crime line may remain anonymous, do not have to testify in court and may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000 if the information provided leads to an arrest.
Madison Peek, madison.peek@virginiamedia.com