Catalytic Converters, Bikes Stolen Out Of Westfield Last Week

WESTFIELD, NJ — In the first week of the new year, Westfield saw a number of catalytic converter thefts, attempted car burglaries and more, according to the most recent police blotter.

Catalytic converter thefts, bike thefts and car burglaries have become frequent crimes in Westfield, and surrounding towns, over the past year.

Read more: Westfield Sees Multiple Thefts Of Catalytic Convertors From Cars

A catalytic converter is found in a car's undercarriage and is designed to reduce the pollutants and toxic gases the engine produces. They are made out of precious metals, including platinum, and can be re-sold at a very high mark-up on the black market.

A business on Cardinal Drive in Westfield reporter on Jan. 2 that two cars on the property had their catalytic converters stolen by unknown suspects, according to police.

Police said no time frame of thefts could be established since the vehicles were parked since November.

Also on Jan. 2, a resident told police that their bike was stolen at the Northside Train Station at around 5:30 a.m. Police said the victim left their black Giant brand hybrid bicycle locked, and upon their return, the bike was missing.

A suspicious incident was also reported on Jan. 3, at around 2:38 a.m. When an individual who was visiting a friend on Tamaques Way returned to his car, he noticed that his passenger side door was ajar, police said.

No items were missing from inside the vehicle, police said.

An attempted car burglary did however occur on Jan. 5 on the 100 block of North Cottage Place, according to police. A resident told police that an unknown man was seen entering her vehicle while it was parked and unlocked in her driveway.

A check of the interior compartment of the vehicle revealed that the contents were rummaged through, but nothing of value was missing, police said.

You can check out the full police blotter here.