Suspect sought, four charged in catalytic converter thefts

The Winnipeg Police Service property crime unit jumped into action after 13 incidents of catalytic converter thefts in six weeks this spring.

Sgt. Randy Lofto and fellow officers in the property crime unit launched a probe that culminated in the arrests of four suspects last month.

On Friday, investigators said they need the public’s help to track down a fifth man — 43-year-old Jay Heckert — who is believed to be hiding in Manitoba.

“When we put names out to the public, we get a lot of tips and we get a lot of information from that,” Lofto said. Police issued a news release bearing Heckert’s photo and information about the incidents.

“If they know where he is or they don’t like him or whatever, then we can maybe get lucky with them making a report.”

Heckert and his co-accused are alleged to be involved in Winnipeg’s criminal drug subculture. Investigators allege they stole and sold the catalytic converters, causing $20,000 in damages in the process.

Police said they used video surveillance to hunt down the culprits, who targeted vehicles in parking lots and streets across the city between April 26 and June 8.

Many of the thefts occurred at night, posing a challenge for investigators who canvassed extensively in search of video evidence. Some of the footage shows the suspects working together at the time of the alleged offences, Lofto said.

Among the accused is 44-year-old Tyrel Martin, who is charged with four counts each of theft under $5,000 and mischief under $5,000.

A 36-year-old man who was not identified, is charged with seven counts each of theft under $5,000 and mischief under $5,000.

A 51-year-old woman and 48-year-old man each face one charge of theft under $5,000, police said. They were not identified.

All of the males were arrested between June 10 and June 30. Since being taken into custody, WPS has received just one report of a stolen catalytic converter, Lofto said.

Heckert remains at large. He is wanted on a warrant for theft under $5,000, mischief under $5,000 and failing to attend, police said.

Heckert is also accused of two break-and-enters, as well as court order breaches and a weapons possession charge, from December 2025.

He has a lengthy record of convictions for property-related crimes, including several thefts, and for breaching court orders, records show.

Martin’s record, which dates to 2004, is even longer, and includes 20 property-crime-related convictions, along with several assaults and court order breaches.

While the incidents of catalytic converter theft once numbered in the hundreds per month, before a legislated crackdown in 2022, they have slowed to a trickle.

Under the Scrap Metal Act, Manitoba metal recyclers must document and photograph all converters purchased, and hand over their records to local authorities weekly.

Scrap dealers must also obtain detailed information from all prospective metal sellers, including their government ID, a photograph of their face, a physical description and a written explanation abouthow they acquired the materials.

Converters are part of a vehicle’s exhaust system, converting pollutants to less toxic material. They’re valuable because they contain trace amounts of precious metals such as platinum, palladium and rhodium.

Police have said scrap yards buy them for $100 to $500 per unit.

Under the law, recyclers are no longer allowed to pay cash for converters or any sales worth more than $50.

Police believe the catalytic converters stolen in the recent spree were sold in the province, Lofto said.

“I think, for the most part, all of the scrap metal dealers in the city are doing a good job of keeping the enforcement, but like anything, there are certain ways that people will circumvent the rules.”

— With files from Erik Pindera

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca