Catalytic converter thefts on the rise

photo by Boyd Loving

Catalytic converter thefts on the rise
Posted: Jun 11, 2013 11:40 AM EST Updated: Jun 11, 2013 11:40 AM EST
By LUKE FUNK, Senior Web Producer –

Police in one New Jersey city are warning about a rise in catalytic converter thefts in vehicles at train stations, schools and other areas.

In the past week, there were two daylight thefts of catalytic converters from vehicles, one which was parked at the Linden train station and one which was parked at a private company on the 1900 block of Lower Road.

Linden police say this was in addition to 16 converters, taken from trucks parked at the Linden U-Haul, 1440 E. Edgar Rd. and two, which were taken from vehicles in the parking lots of McManus Middle School and Linden High School.

The thieves are targeting larger vehicles, especially SUVs like the Jeep Cherokee.  Police say that’s because the converters are larger and contain more  platinum, which is currently valued on the open market at approximately $1,500 per ounce.  They are also easier to crawl under to get to the converters.

The crooks are using small battery-powered saws and can cut the converter off in a matter of minutes.

Read more: https://www.myfoxny.com/story/22560380/catalytic-converter-thefts-on-the-rise#ixzz2VwrU8lcc