Rise In Thefts Of Catalytic Converter Reported In Scotch Plains

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ — Thefts of catalytic converter from vehicles in Scotch Plains is on the rise, police warn.

In the past week, Scotch Plains Police reported three catalytic converters stolen in the township.

Two thefts were reported Saturday, Sept. 11 from a car in the 200 block of Willow Avenue and a car on Elm Court.

Another resident on Hunter Avenue reported the theft of a catalytic converter from their vehicle on Monday, Sept. 13.

The Scotch Plains Police Department also shared a video on its Facebook page warning residents of the rise in thefts of catalytic converters from motor vehicles.

"The attached video shows you how fast thieves can jack up a car, steal the catalytic converter and flee the area," said police.

If you see any suspicious activity like this in the video, contact the Scotch Plains Police at 908-322-7100.

"It's an opportunistic crime. As the value of the precious metals contained within the catalytic converters continues to increase, so do the number of thefts of these devices," said David Glawe, President and CEO of National Insurance Crime Bureau. Read More: Catalytic Converter Theft: Don't Be A Victim, Gloucester PD Warns

The metals inside of the catalytic converters are platinum, palladium, and rhodium and are all extremely rare.

Rhodium was about $600 per ounce five years ago. Today it's over $21,000 per ounce, which is 10 times the price of gold. One catalytic converter has about $400 worth of rhodium in it, according to police.

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