Joe Van Essen thought there was no way thieves would strike again in a church parking lot, especially a vehicle that belonged to a food bank.
He was wrong.
The coordinator of the South Delta Food Bank said he was disgusted when he discovered Friday morning that the catalytic converter had been stolen from the non-profit organization’s delivery van. It was parked at the food bank’s location behind the Lighthouse Pentecostal Church in the 5500-block of Ladner Trunk Road.
Van Essen figured the theft took place sometime overnight on Thursday as it had been used Wednesday for its regular deliveries.
“The van was sitting where it always has been for the last 25 years and we have never had a problem,” he said. “But two months ago, the day care van at the church, that is also parked in the back, got ripped off.
“At the time I thought maybe I should move the van to the front where it at least would be exposed more. I did nothing because I didn’t think they would try to steal from the food bank van.”
The van has been taken to Ladner Motors for the $1,200 repair with the food bank on the hook for the $300 ICBC deductible. Van Essen is appreciative of the outpouring on social media since news of the theft became known, including cash donations and an offer from a car dealership in Richmond to cover all costs.
His greater concern, however, is this kind of criminal activity taking place in what seems like a safe community with an apparent complete disregard of their victims.
“I know on social media there are lots of people willing to pay for it but it’s not like we are broke,” he added. “I would just like to see these criminals get caught, never mind the deductible it’s going to cost.
“Whose car is next? ICBC must get these calls from every one and it’s $1,200 each time. And who is buying this stuff? Everybody who walks into these (scrap metal shops) should be on camera and asked where did they get this stuff.”
