Catalytic Converters Stolen Out Of Hondas In Livingston: See Where

LIVINGSTON, NJ — The Livingston police said that catalytic converters were cut out of Honda Accords at two separate residences in two days at the end of March.

Experts say that the price of precious metals in the converters has been rising, including platinum, palladium, and rhodium, prompting the thefts. Honda is known for using more of the metals in the converters. Thieves can cut them out of the bottom of a car in 30 seconds.

The Livingston police said that on March 28, at 4:39 p.m., they responded to a Gorham Avenue residence on a report of a stolen catalytic converter. Police said that when the driver went to start their 2001 Honda Accord, "They heard a loud exhaust noise and noticed the catalytic converter was cut out from under the vehicle sometime over the past few days."

The next day, at 10:06 a.m., Livingston officers responded to a Millstone Drirve residence on a report of a stolen catalytic converter. The victim said that when they started their 2002 Honda Accord, they similarly heard a loud exhaust noise and noticed the catalytic converter was missing.

The Livingston Detective Bureau is investigating.

Last May, four men were charged by the Justice Department in a scheme to steal catalytic converters from vehicles in New Jersey, bringing them back to New York across the George Washington Bridge. Officials said the men had stolen 15 catalytic converters in 2022.