Soaring Commodity Prices have led to a Recent Spurt in Catalytic Converter Thefts Statewide

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton  NJ, the New Jersey State Police is seeking the public’s assistance with identifying two suspects who allegedly stole two catalytic converters from the Victor Robbins Group located on State Highway 38 in Hainsport Township, Burlington County.

On December 27, 2021, at approximately 1:11 a.m., two male suspects wearing hooded sweatshirts were captured on video surveillance removing catalytic converters from two vehicles in the parking lot before fleeing the scene. The suspects were believed to be driving a Chevrolet Aveo with no front license plate. The vehicle was also missing the passenger front hub cap and gas cap.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Bordentown Station Criminal Investigation Office at 609-298-1171. Anonymous tips are welcome.

A catalytic converter is an exhaust emission control device that transforms hazardous gases and pollutants in exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine into less-toxic pollutants. Catalytic converters contain precious metals, such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium that act as a catalyst. The catalyst helps in the oxidation of harmful gasses such as carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons present in the exhaust gases into less harmful carbon dioxide.

The soaring commodity prices have led to a recent spurt in catalytic converter thefts in the country. The easy to steal catalytic converters fetch a tidy sum on the black market. The process of stealing a catalytic converter is so fast and quiet that car owners do not know if this car part has been stolen until they start their car and hear a loud rattle. These parts are expensive to replace, costing anywhere between $2,000 to $2,500, depending on the model you drive.

North Jersey Media reported that the Clifton police are looking into the theft of nearly a dozen catalytic converters from the North Jersey Elks Developmental Disabilities Agency, which works with developmentally disabled children and adults.

The Ridgewood blog has reported several incidents of catalytic converter theft in neighboring Glen Rock  , as well as previous reports from NJ Transit and the NJ State Police .