Catalytic Converters Stolen In Wall

WALL, NJ — If you live in the area of Grace Street and Birchwood Lane, Wall police ask you to check your cars, following the theft of two catalytic converters this weekend.

Police are investigating the reports of the catalytic converter thefts that happened sometime overnight this past weekend. The part is located under the car.

The thefts took place on Grace Street and Birchwood Lane, which are located near Belmar Boulevard and Route 34.

If you live in this area, you should check your cars, police said.

Police said residents should always report suspicious activity to the police. And Wall police said residents should not make contact with any suspicious vehicles or people.

The most recent report of catalytic converter thefts in Wall was in December.

Wall police said at that time that "several" catalytic converters were stolen from vehicles in township neighborhoods early on Dec. 6, and a chase to stop a car suspected in the crimes had to be ended for safety.

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. Catalytic converters are normally valued between $1,000 and $2,000.