Forked River Man Charged With Stealing Catalytic Converters: PD

LACEY, NJ — A Forked River man has been charged with theft and criminal mischief to vehicles after he stole four catalytic converters from cars in Lacey Township, police said.

Lacey Township detectives stopped Bernard K. Kappen, 29, on Feb. 7 as he was driving out of an isolated area in the rear of the Lacey Business Park. Detectives found a stolen catalytic converter in the bed of his car and arrested him, police said.

Kappen cut and removed the catalytic converter from a vehicle owned by a local business. He was on his way to sell the catalytic converter to a recycling business, police said.

An investigation by Lacey Township detectives found that Kappen was involved in three additional and previously reported thefts of catalytic converters in Lacey Township.

Kappen removed catalytic converters from vehicles parked at a local business, a local marina and a church, police said. The vehicles damaged were owned by the businesses and establishments.

Lacey Township detectives arrested Kappen on Feb. 18, charging him with the additional catalytic converter thefts and criminal mischief to the vehicles.

He was transported and lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility. Kappen’s vehicle, which he used to further facilitate his crimes, was seized, according to police.

Lacey Township police warn all vehicle owners to be aware of the increased risk of catalytic converter thefts.

“This has become both a nationwide and local issue, due to the high value of the precious metals that the auto parts contain,” police said. “Additionally, it is unfortunate that individuals would victimize our local businesses and places of worship during these times of struggle and hardship.”

Residents can report suspicious activity by contacting the Lacey Township Police Department at 609-693-6636.

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