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(From left to right) Will Lasse (volunteer), Remy Kocurek, Allen Nathan, Jake Nathan, and Jim Zibluk (volunteer).
DERBY — There are such things as angels right here on Earth.
Just ask the grateful folks at the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Shop and Food Bank, which recently experienced both a heartbreaking, then heart-warming, event.
In the early morning hours of July 3, thieves stole the catalytic converter from the organization’s food van, which was parked outside the facility at 237 Roosevelt Drive.
The van, by the way, is the organization’s lone vehicle. Last year St. Vincent de Paul donated more than 347,000 pounds of food to Valley people in need.
Surveillance video shows a man, using the light on his cell phone, removing the part from the van, while a woman stood watch. The video is embedded below. Derby police are investigating. Call them at 203 – 735-7811 with info.
The Valley nonprofit, which has been helping local people in need since 1990, posted the video on Facebook, where is was seen by some 20,000 people, many of whom were justifiably outraged.
“I watched the whole event a couple of times in disbelief that someone would hurt us like this,” said St. Vincent de Paul’s Director Remy Kocurek. “We are used to being a part of a loving and supportive community. We felt shocked and heartbroken. Then we began to wonder how long we would be without our van.”
Luckily the organization didn’t have to wait too long.
A&S Nathan Heating & Cooling owner Allen Nathan and his son, Jake, saw the video and decided to lend a hand. The business is based on Clifton Avenue in Ansonia.
Nathan enlisted the help of his longtime friend and mechanic, Robert Trez, owner of Penfield Service Center in Fairfield, to replace the stolen catalytic converter and get the van back in service.
“My son and I have operated my company for many years, and we are blessed to be able to help out many charities and always happy to do so,” Nathan said.
Nathan said Trez was able to track down a replacement part almost immediately. Nathan paid for the part and Trez donated his labor.
Trez said he didn’t hesitate when he got the call from Nathan. The two grew up together in Bridgeport, attended the same schools and played sports together.
“I was happy to help,” Trez said.
Kocurek was grateful for the help. The van was back in service in about 48 hours.
“I had spent all that Saturday morning (July 3) and afternoon calling garages, many which were closed for the holiday weekend, even a local Ford dealer who told me the part was on backorder, and another automotive supply company who said the aftermarket part was unavailable due to parts shortages. I was feeling anxious and overwhelmed that we would be without our van for quite some time and would suffer a large expense to get our van back in working order,” she said.
Catalytic converters are being stolen across the U.S., from Staten Island to Houston. Replacing the items cost about $3,000 with parts and labor.
The precious metals inside catalytic converters were literally more valuable than gold, The NY Times reported in February.
Here’s a post from Nerd Wallet on how to protect your vehicle.
So far, Derby police haven’t made any arrests, according to Lt. Sal Frosceno, who said the case remains open.
Click here to visit St. Vincent de Paul on Facebook.
Click here to visit A&S Heating and Cooling on Facebook.
Click here to visit the Penfield Service Center on Facebook.
