Alert
Rise in Catalytic Converter Thefts
South Brunswick Police are asking the public to be alert for an increasing number of catalytic converter thefts during the overnight hours in the Township. Chief Raymond Hayducka said, “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.” The crews have intensified their recent efforts in southern Middlesex County with 29 thefts in South Brunswick since May 21st.
Catalytic converters look like a metal hot water bottle, are found in the car’s underbody, and are 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. The converters can be clipped off a car in minutes. Chief Hayducka is frustrated by the Scrap yards throughout the tri-state area that buy these converters. “No legitimate business is having some walking in at 6 am with a trunk full of catalytic converters and thinks this is legitimate,” said Chief Hayducka.
Captain Jeff Russo, the head of the South Brunswick Police Criminal Investigations Division said, “We have been sharing information with detectives throughout the area. The majority of thefts take place overnight between 11 pm to 5 am. The most common vehicle they target is Hondas.”
South Brunswick Police have twice encountered the suspects. Each time the suspects fled police at high rates of 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,” said Chief Hayducka.
They have targeted residential sections throughout the township during the overnight. “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. There is no one answer to the problem, but collectively we make a difference,” said Chief Hayducka.
Rise in Catalytic Converter Thefts 
Rise in Catalytic Converter Thefts Statewide and in South Brunswick
South Brunswick Police are asking the public to be alert for an increasing number of catalytic converter thefts during the overnight hours in the Township. Chief Raymond Hayducka said, “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.” The crews have intensified their recent efforts in southern Middlesex County with 29 thefts in South Brunswick since May 21st.
Catalytic converters look like a metal hot water bottle, are found in the car’s underbody, and are 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. The converters can be clipped off a car in minutes. Chief Hayducka is frustrated by the Scrap yards throughout the tri-state area that buy these converters. “No legitimate business is having some walking in at 6 am with a trunk full of catalytic converters and thinks this is legitimate,” said Chief Hayducka.
Captain Jeff Russo, the head of the South Brunswick Police Criminal Investigations Division said, “We have been sharing information with detectives throughout the area. The majority of thefts take place overnight between 11 pm to 5 am. The most common vehicle they target is Hondas.”
South Brunswick Police have twice encountered the suspects. Each time the suspects fled police at high rates of 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,” said Chief Hayducka.
They have targeted residential sections throughout the township during the overnight. “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. There is no one answer to the problem, but collectively we make a difference,” said Chief Hayducka.
Instructions:
Call 911 for any suspicious activity
Address/Location
South Brunswick Twp Police Department
540 Ridge Rd
South Brunswick Township, NJ 08852
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 732-329-4646
Alert Details
- Severity:
- Minor - Minimal to no known threat to life or property
- Urgency:
- Expected - Responsive action SHOULD be taken soon (within next hour)
- Certainty:
- Observed - Determined to have occurred or to be ongoing
- Category:
- Law enforcement, military, homeland and local/private security
- Event:
- Ongoing Investigation