Cars Targeted In Manalapan Thefts, Police Report

MANALAPAN, NJ — A catalytic converter was stolen last week from a car parked at a Taylors Mill Road residence, police reported. On Nov. 27, a resident, 21, told police the catalytic converter, valued at approximately $1,000, was stolen during the overnight hours. Patrolman Abdoulaye Diagne handled the report.

Catalytic converters continue to be targeted by thieves, according to a May 2023 report by the National Insurance Crime Bureau. Insurance claims for these thefts increased from 16,660 claims in 2020 to 64,701 in 2022, it noted.

According to the bureau website, a catalytic converter is designed to convert the environmentally hazardous exhaust emitted by the engine and convert it into less harmful gasses. To do this, manufacturers use platinum, palladium, or rhodium, all valuable precious metals.

Cars were targeted in other crimes, as reported by Manalapan police:

• Nov. 28: A Cliffwood resident, 24, told police an unknown person entered the victim's vehicle while parked at a Freehold Road business and removed a garage door opener. Patrolman Thomas Butz handled the report.
• Nov. 25: A Manalapan resident, 36, reported that an unknown person attempted to burglarize a vehicle while it was parked in a driveway of a Sherwood Drive residence. The vehicle was locked and the suspects were unable to remove any items from the vehicle. Patrolman Kyle Williams handled the report.
• Nov. 22: A Manalapan resident, 62, reported that an unknown person entered an unlocked vehicle while it was parked on Pine Cluster Circle between 6 and 9:30 p.m. on Nov. 21 and removed property valued at approximately $90. Patrolman Joseph Santomarco handled the report.

Various thefts were reported by police:

• Nov: 22: A Manalapan resident, 43, told police an unknown person removed a watch, valued at $10,000.00, from a package that was delivered to a Manalapan business. Patrolman Peter Pagano handled the report.
• Nov. 22: Employees of the Valero Gas Station, 391 Route 9 in Manalapan, reported that an unknown person stole $70 worth of gasoline and left the scene without paying. Patrolman William Dutton handled the report.

Incidents of fraud also were reported by police:

• Nov. 28: A Manalapan resident, 52, told police that someone defrauded the victim of $4,206.80. Patrolman Connor Kelly handled the report.
• Nov. 25: A resident, 63, reported that an unknown person stole a Medicare/Medicaid card from a wallet after discovering several unauthorized purchases. Patrolman Matthew Parke handled the report.
• Nov. 24: A Freehold resident, 60, told police an unknown person fraudulently withdrew $18,759.25 from a business checking account. Patrolman Everett McNulty handled the report.

All matters are pending further investigation.