Expensive Car Parts Keep Getting Stolen In Nutley: Police

NUTLEY, NJ — More catalytic converters have been stolen in Nutley, police announced Friday.

According to the Nutley Police Department:

“On Aug. 22, police responded to Fernwood Terrace, High Street and Oakley Terrace for four catalytic converter thefts. This theft has become popular throughout the state, due to its high scrap value. [Thieves] will generally lift the vehicle with a hydraulic jack cut the exhaust pipe before and after the converter then flee in a matter of minutes. If you see anything suspicious, please contact police immediately. Police are looking for a grey BMW.”

Nutley police released the following details about the Aug. 22 thefts.

BMW SPOTTED – “The victims reported hearing a loud noise and observing a silver or gray BMW with California plates pulling away from the area. Shortly thereafter, the victim went to move their vehicle and found the catalytic converter was stolen. The windows of the BMW were tinted, so no description of the occupants of the BMW could be given.”

HONDA CRV TARGETED – “The victim reported to officers that when they started their Honda CRV this morning it sounded very loud, which was the result of the catalytic converter being stolen. A neighbor told police that they saw two [people] standing next to the victim’s vehicle and that when they opened their window, the two [suspects] ran away and into a white Audi station wagon. One of the [suspects] was carrying something as they ran away. The description given was both parties had on black masks, were thin in build, wearing dark-colored pants and shirts with black hoods.”

CAR SOUNDED LIKE MOTORBOAT – “Another Fernwood Terrace resident reported that when they started their car today it sounded like a motorboat. Their mechanic arrived on scene and discovered the catalytic converter was stolen from the vehicle. The victim had not used the car prior to Aug. 23. Due to a neighbor reporting the same type of incident the day before, it is believed the theft occurred on the same date and time as the neighbors.”

HONDA ACCORD SOUNDED LOUD – “An Oakley Terrace resident started their Honda Accord and it sounded extremely loud, so they drove to their mechanic who confirmed their catalytic converter had been cut off. The victim did not use their vehicle until Aug. 23, and it was concluded that the incident happened during the morning hours of Aug. 22 when three other catalytic converters were stolen from other vehicles.”

Nutley police have been warning residents of ongoing catalytic converter thefts for weeks. Read More: 2 More Catalytic Converters Swiped In Nutley, Police Say

Nutley isn’t the only North Jersey town seeing a rise in catalytic converter thefts. Similar incidents have recently been reported in Bloomfield, Montclair, Newark and other Essex County municipalities.

Thanks to higher prices for platinum, rhodium, palladium and other metals found in the components, catalytic converter thefts in the U.S. rose from about 100 a month in 2018 to more than 1,200 a month in 2020, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

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