5 More Catalytic Converter Thefts Reported In Bloomfield: Police

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The theft of catalytic converters continues in Bloomfield, police said Sunday.

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

In the past year, several thefts of the expensive car parts have been reported in Bloomfield. According to the Bloomfield Police Department, recent incidents include:

• March 15 – Officers responded to the area of North Spring Street on report of a theft from auto. A resident parked his work vehicle on North Spring Street at 4 p.m. on March 14. When he returned to the vehicle the following morning at 6:30 a.m., he observed that the vehicle was missing the catalytic converter. This incident is under investigation.
• March 16 – Officers responded to the 200-block of Lakewood Drive on report of a theft from auto. A resident parked his vehicle overnight on March 15. When he returned to his vehicle the following morning, he noticed that someone stole the catalytic converter from his vehicle. This incident is under investigation.
• March 16 – Officers responded to the 100-block of Baldwin Place on report of a theft from auto. A resident parked his vehicle on the street overnight on March 15. Upon returning to the vehicle the next morning, he noticed that the catalytic converter was missing from his vehicle. This incident is under investigation.
• March 16 – Officers responded to the area of Baldwin Place on report of a theft from auto. A resident parked his vehicle on the street overnight on March 16. Upon returning to the vehicle the next morning, he noticed that the catalytic converter was taken from his vehicle. This incident is under investigation.
• March 18 – Officers responded to Lakewood Terrace on report of a theft from auto. A resident’s daughter parked his vehicle in front of the house on March 14 at approximately 9:50 p.m. When she returned to the vehicle the following day at 5:45 p.m., she noticed the car was louder than usual. The complainant came outside to inspect the car and noticed the catalytic converter was stolen from his vehicle. This incident is under investigation.

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