(Photo provided) Wheeling police are investigating the theft of a catalytic converter from Wheeling Health Right’s mobile health care unit, shown here during a past stop for service.
WHEELING – Wheeling police are investigating the theft of a catalytic converter from Wheeling Health Right’s mobile health care unit.
Anne Ricci, executive director of Wheeling Health Right, said the mobile unit is at the mechanic’s shop and is expected to be ready to use again in about a week. The theft occurred earlier this week.
“We discovered it was stolen off of our mobile medical unit. … This is temporarily impacting our ability to provide care in the community,” she said. “It’s a temporary setback. We remained committed to our patients.”
Ricci said the unit was parked near Wheeling Health Right’s headquarters. Security camera footage has been given to the police department as part of the investigation.
“We’ve had it for two years and in the summer we park it here because it needs plugged in,” she added.
Ricci said Health Right has expanded its coverage area with the unit, but they plan to add more stops in the future.
The unit provides primary health care services and health care screenings to those who cannot make it to the health clinic in South Wheeling.
“It serves people in rural areas and underserved communities,” she said. “It reduces barriers to care. It improves health outcomes. It’s for the underinsured and uninsured.”
A catalytic converter is used to reduce emissions in a vehicle and is made up of various metals that thieves try to sell for scrap.