26 Catalytic Converters Taken By 2 Men In One Bergen County Town; New Laws May Help

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — One Bergen County town announced the arrest last week of a man in connection with 26 catalytic converter thefts back in January.

"Chief [Andrew] McGurr announces the completion of an investigation by Detective Sergeant Kevin Brennan and the Anti-Crime Squad regarding the theft of 26 catalytic converters in January," read a message from the Teaneck police on Friday.

"Omar Fernandez and Gabriel Burgos have been charged with numerous counts of theft, criminal mischief, and possession of burglary tools. Omar Fernandez was arrested and transferred to the Bergen County Jail. Gabriel Burgos continues to be the subject of an arrest warrant."

The problem is much bigger than just one town or county.

Experts say that the price of the metals in the converters has been rising, including platinum, palladium, and rhodium. Recycling facilities will pay for the converters.

Thieves can cut them out of the bottom of vehicles in a matter of minutes, particularly larger vehicles that are easy to crawl under, even including school buses, experts say.

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.

What To Do?

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.

Last week, Sen. Bob Menendez, along with local and state law enforcement officials, announced legislation he is introducing in the U.S. Senate to form a federal task force to address the issue.

“This legislation requires the Attorney General and the Secretary of Transportation to establish a federal task force to crack down on catalytic converter theft in a holistic approach," he said, "as this is a crime that spans multiple jurisdictions."

He added, "We know that thieves operate across state lines – coming here to Bergen County and then driving across the bridge or through the tunnel to sell catalytic converters in New York and other states,” said Sen. Menendez. “We need law enforcement agencies, advocates and insurers, car dealers and manufacturers to all be on the same page. And we need the public to know that catalytic converter theft is a major issue affecting far too many Americans across the country."

The Catalytic Converter Theft Task Force Act will create an interagency task force led by the Department of Justice and the Department of Transportation, and will also include representatives from state and local law enforcement agencies.

Last month, new legislation (S249) was enacted in New Jersey changing certain regulations for the sale and purchase of catalytic converters.

It includes allowing scrap metal businesses to only buy used catalytic converters from a registered business, and requiring added verification of ownership when selling used catalytic converters to scrap metal businesses.

The New Jersey law requires the business to document the vehicle identification number, the certificate of title or registration, a receipt from a repair transaction, or a bill of sale when purchasing a used catalytic converter or face fine for violation.

READ MORE: 7 Catalytic Converters Stolen In 1 NJ Town In 1 Night