10 Stolen Catalytic Converters Found During Mount Laurel Traffic Stop

MOUNT LAUREL, NJ - An Ohio man was arrested in Burlington County Tuesday in connection with the theft of nearly a dozen catalytic converters, authorities said.

At around 1:29 a.m., a traffic stop was conducted in the area of Route 73 southbound and Lincoln Drive in Mount Laurel, police said.

A probable cause search subsequently found 10 catalytic converters in the vehicle, as well as tools commonly used to remove them.

A 44-year-old man from North Randell, Ohio was arrested on scene and charged with receiving stolen property, police said. He was later released on a summons notice.

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.