In 10 Days Around 30 Catalytic Converter Thefts Reported In South Brunswick

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — Since May 21, 29 catalytic converter thefts were reported in South Brunswick, the police department said.

Most of these thefts occur during the overnight hours and the police have asked residents to remain alert.

According to authorities, crews have intensified their efforts in southern Middlesex County in the past few weeks.

“The catalytic converter problem in New Jersey is at epidemic levels. We are partnering with county and State law enforcement to track these suspects, but there are multiple crews operating throughout the state,” Police Chief Raymond Hayducka said.

A catalytic converter looks like a metal hot water bottle. It is found in the car’s underbody and is part of its exhaust system. The magic ingredients of that chemical catalyst are the precious metals rhodium, palladium and platinum. Each converter contains several grams of each metal and is sold to unscrupulous scrap yards, police said.

The converters can be clipped off cars within minutes. Hayducka said he was “frustrated” by the Scrap yards throughout the tri-state area that buy these converters.

“No legitimate business is having some walking in at 6 a.m. with a trunk full of catalytic converters and thinks this is legitimate,” Hayducka said.

Meanwhile, the South Brunswick Police Department has been sharing information and collaborating with other law enforcement agencies.

“We have been sharing information with detectives throughout the area,” Captain Jeff Russo, head of the South Brunswick Police Criminal Investigations Division said. “The majority of thefts take place overnight between 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. The most common vehicle they target are Hondas.”

South Brunswick Police have twice encountered the suspects. Each time the suspects fled police at high speed and created a wide risk to the public.

“These suspects have no concern for public safety and will recklessly endanger everyone for a few hundred dollars,” Hayducka said.

These crews have targeted residential sections throughout the township during the overnight hours.

“I encourage every resident to call 911 at the first sign of any problems. Residents have already made a number of calls and we have created saturation patrols to increase our detection,” Hayducka said. “There is no one answer to the problem, but collectively we make a difference.”

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