Catalytic Converters Stolen In Two Manalapan Incidents: Police

MANALAPAN, NJ — Catalytic converter thefts continue to be reported in the township, police said.

Catalytic converters valued at about $6,600 were taken from vehicles that were parked at a Woodward Road business earlier this month, police said.

A Colts Neck resident told police that the converters were stolen sometime between 7 p.m. on Nov. 7 to 7 a.m. on Nov. 8.

Another incident involving a catalytic converter theft was reported on Nov. 5.

A Manalapan resident reported that three unknown males, traveling in a dark-colored sedan, wearing grey sweatshirts, face masks and white gloves, removed the catalytic converter from a vehicle that was parked on Winged Foot Drive.

The estimated cost of the damage and value of the stolen property is approximately $1,000.

Police are investigating both incidents but no arrests have been made as yet.

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 gasses. 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.