Catalytic Converter Thieves Hit Three Cars In Manalapan: Police

MANALAPAN, NJ — Catalytic converters were stolen from three cars in the township sometime overnight on Sunday, April 2, police reported.

Two thefts took place on Dortmunder Drive. One resident, age 60, said the theft happened at about 5:30 a.m.; another resident, 50, reported to police the valuable auto part was taken sometime between 9:30 p.m. on April 1 and 10:30 a.m. April 2.

Then a Staten Island, NY, resident, age 59, reported a theft of a catalytic converter from a car parked on Lone Star Lane sometime between 5 p.m. April 1 to 10:30 a.m. April 2.

The parts were each valued at between $1,000 to $1,200.

Police are investigating the incidents, which were reported in the weekly list of police activity provided by Deputy Chief Leonard Maltese of the Manalapan Police Department.

Catalytic converters were also recently targeted in Freehold.

Approximately 10 thefts of catalytic converters from motor vehicles in the first week of April were being investigated by borough police, the department reported last Thursday.

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

Police almost stopped one suspect, but the person sped away at an unsafe speed.

Read more about the Freehold thefts here.

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.

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, all of which metals have risen in value.