Suspect stole catalytic converter from non-commercial van that helps the elderly

Round Rock, Texas – A non-profit organization that helps the elderly lost several thousand dollars after someone recently stole the catalytic converter from one of their vans.

Senior Access provides free transportation to help seniors stay independent. They serve the Round Rock, Pflugerville, Hutto, and East Austin areas. They have about 1200 clients and make about 350-400 trips per week.

A February 20 surveillance video shows a car passing by and heading towards where the vans are parked. There are no cameras in the church parking lot. The car turns before it gets too far away to be seen. It was then, according to chief executive Serita Lacasse, that a suspect sawed off the catalytic converter of one of their vans.

“Our driver rode it at 8, he came up and said, ‘Oh my god, it makes such a terrible sound’ because it sounds like a motorcycle when it’s not there,” she said.

She says many auto shops have waiting lists, and on Friday they finally towed him to the shop.

“It will probably be around $2,500-$3,500 due to having to adjust schedules and things like that, paying people at different times for what they do, it will cost, plus labor and towing,” she said.

With one less van in their fleet of five vehicles, they are adding more routes to the vans they already have, leaving them with more days to reliably deliver seniors to grocery stores.

“Think about when you get older, and you get older, you won’t be able to get out. You won’t be able to go to the grocery store,” she said. “We provide them with this weekly guarantee that every week I know that I can get what I want, I can do it on my own, I don’t have to rely on my child, my grandson.”

Now they have moved the rest of their fleet right under the security camera. The church they partner with will be adding cameras.

“My God, you don’t think anyone would come stealing from a church parking lot or a charity van. You just don’t think there are people who will do it,” Lacasse said.

Lacasse says it’s her message to the suspect.

“I just want you to think about how many people you’ve hurt and think about yourself if you couldn’t drive. How would you get to different places and how would you feel if someone took your only transport?” She said.

Senior Access says they are always looking for volunteers. They’re having one of their big fundraisers next month to renovate a van. They hope to collect more this year because of the bad luck.

For more information on how to help and upcoming events, click here.