Seven Catalytic Converters Cut, Stolen From Bergen Co. Vehicles: Cops

GLEN ROCK, NJ — It all started with a report from a Glen Rock resident who was awoken by the sound of a power tool. Subsequently, a total of seven catalytic converters were reported stolen from area vehicles parked in residential driveways, according to authorities.

Early Friday, the valuable car parts were taken from parked vehicles on Delmar Avenue, Gramercy Place, Devonshire Place, South Highwood Avenue, Dean Street, Garret Place and Harding Road, Glen Rock police Chief Dean Ackermann said.

A suspect has not yet been identified in connection with the thefts, the first report of which was called in on Delmar at about 3:45 a.m., Ackermann said.

The Delmar resident reported being awoken by the sound of a possible reciprocating saw, and confronting a man in the driveway who fled in an unknown dark vehicle. The resident then realized the catalytic converter had been cut and stolen from their 2003 Honda Accord, police said.

But the resident was unable to describe the man or the vehicle, and officers did not find anyone in the area. Six additional thefts were reported — all to Hondas (model years 1999 to 2006), five more Accords and one Odyssey, police said.

A Honda Accord is the second-most likely type of car to be targeted nationwide for catalytic converter theft, according to CARFAX.

Thefts of catalytic converters — which contain high-value precious metals that are in "growing demand" — are on the rise nationwide, USA TODAY reported. The auto parts can be removed with a battery-operated saw in minutes, and then "sold for a few hundred dollars to scrap recyclers."