10 Thefts Of Catalytic Converters In A Week Reported In Freehold

FREEHOLD, NJ — Approximately 10 thefts of catalytic converters from motor vehicles in the past week have been investigated by borough police, the department reported Thursday.

The thefts have been occurring during overnight hours, police said.

Officers have been on the lookout for the thieves, and attempted a recent stop. But the suspects fled in a stolen vehicle, creating a dangerous condition, police said.

Police ask that residents who may see an unfamiliar vehicle creeping on your block notify the Freehold police by calling 911.

According to a report by the National Insurance Crime Bureau, the increase in catalytic converter thefts nationally has been dramatic. In 2018, there were 1,298 catalytic converter thefts for which a claim was filed. In 2019, it was 3,389 thefts with a claim.

"In 2020, catalytic converter theft claims jumped massively to 14,433, a 325 percent increase in a single year," the bureau said.

According to the bureau website, a catalytic converter is a device that looks like a small muffler along the exhaust system. It is designed to convert the environmentally hazardous exhaust emitted by the engine and convert them into less harmful gases. To do this, manufacturers use platinum, palladium, or rhodium.

"In recent years, however, the values of these precious metals have skyrocketed. As of December 2020, rhodium was valued at $14,500 per ounce, palladium at $2,336 per ounce, and platinum going for $1,061 per ounce. Typically, recyclers will pay $50 to $250 per catalytic converter," the bureau said.

There was a nationwide takedown of leaders and associates operating a stolen catalytic converter ring on Wednesday, Nov. 2. Those multiple arrests in various states had a Holmdel connection when a house there was raided and six New Jersey residents connected to DG Auto were charged in connection to the operation, according to federal officials.