Catalytic Converter Cut Out Of Maplewood Vehicle In Continuing Trend

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Experts say that the price of the metals in catalytic converters — which convert harmful gases in your car to less harmful gases — has been rising, including platinum, palladium, and rhodium. So thieves are on the prowl for them.

Police in Maplewood said that on Monday, Feb. 13, a man reported that his catalytic convertor his stolen from a work van parked in a private lot on Ohio Street.

The owner said he had his van on Friday, Feb. 10. When he returned on Monday, Feb. 13 at 8 a.m., he discovered the car part missing.

A few days later, on Thursday, Feb. 16, seven catalytic converters were cut out of parked vehicles in another Essex County town overnight. The seven were stolen from vehicles at four different Livingston locations in the early morning hours, police in that town said.

They were cut out of vehicles at a gas station and three businesses.

Theft Ring

Experts say that thieves can cut the part out of the bottom of vehicles in a matter of minutes, and large vehicles are easy to crawl under, including school buses.

In May 2022, four men were charged by the Justice Department in a scheme to steal the car part 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 already that year.

Experts say that etching your car's vehicle identification number into the converter will make it easier to trace, if stolen. Find other tips here.

Read about other catalytic converter thefts in Essex County here.