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Catalytic Converter Theft

Police & Fire
26 Catalytic Converters Stolen Overnight In Teaneck: One Caught, One Sought 26 Catalytic Converters Stolen Overnight In Teaneck: One Caught, One Sought
26 Catalytic Converters Stolen Overnight In Teaneck: One Caught, One Sought Two men were part of a quick-strike crew who stole 26 catalytic converters combined over two early mornings in Teaneck, said authorities who arrested one and are searching for the other. The crew, which is responsible for countless recent catalytic converter thefts throughout New Jersey, swiped nine of the devices in the northeast section of Teaneck on Jan. 21, followed by 17 more ten days later, Teaneck Police Chief Andrew McGurr said. The thieves trolled the area during the early morning hours in a stolen SUV bearing a bogus temporary registration tag, the chief said. Thieves have been …

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
Catalytic Converter Thieves Drawing Intense Attention Of Police In Teaneck Catalytic Converter Thieves Drawing Intense Attention Of Police In Teaneck
Catalytic Converter Thieves Drawing Intense Attention Of Police In Teaneck It began with an overnight call to police from a Teaneck resident who heard an electric saw being used just outside the family's home. In no time, catalytic converter thieves had hit at least a dozen vehicles in the area, Police Chief Andrew R. McGurr said. Such thieves have been cutting out converters and selling them for scrap for years. It's recently become something of an epidemic, though -- one that is made all the more visible by the explosion of home security video. The highly-prized emissions-control devices help remove nitrogen oxide and other potentially toxic pollutants from a …

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by Jerry DeMarco
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21 Catalytic Converters Recovered, Gang Of Four Busted By Clifton PD 21 Catalytic Converters Recovered, Gang Of Four Busted By Clifton PD
21 Catalytic Converters Recovered, Gang Of Four Busted By Clifton PD GOTCHA! Clifton police recovered 21 catalytic converters while arresting four men who they said stole them. Officers responding to a theft in progress on East 4th Street stopped a fleeing Kia in Paterson and arrested the lone occupant, Pedro Mirben-Feliz, 26, of Brooklyn around 3:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, Detective Lt. Robert Bracken said. A second vehicle, an Acura TL, crashed on Route 3 in Secaucus, where police arrested three occupants -- driver Juan Ortegalazala, 29, of the Bronx and passengers Yheremy Santana, 22, and Angel Batista, 18, both of Jersey City,  the lieutenant said. Betw…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
$1M In Cash, $2M In Luxury Cars, 200 Catalytic Converter Pallets Seized In Federal NJ Bust $1M In Cash, $2M In Luxury Cars, 200 Catalytic Converter Pallets Seized In Federal NJ Bust
$1M In Cash, $2M In Luxury Cars, 200 Catalytic Converter Pallets Seized In Federal NJ Bust A Homeland Security investigation netted eight area arrests, including six in Newark, as part of a nationwide takedown of a large catalytic converter and stolen car ring. HSI and FBI agents seized more than 200 pallets of catalytic converters, $2 million in exotic cars, $1 million in cash and 29 ounces of gold bars, jewelry and high-value handbags as part of the operation.  "This criminal enterprise involved multiple suspects across the country," said Special Agent In Charge Ricky J. Patel of HSI Newark.  A total of 21 suspects were arrested in eight states.

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by Jon Craig
News
$550M Sought From Thieves In Federal Catalytic Converter Crackdown $550M Sought From Thieves In Federal Catalytic Converter Crackdown
$550M Sought From Thieves In Federal Catalytic Converter Crackdown Catalytic converter thieves across the US could soon have to cough up $550 million as part of a federal, state and local crackdown on the thefts and resales that turned a massive profit, authorities announced. The Department of Justice announced on Wednesday, Nov. 2 that it will be seeking forfeiture from those responsible for the trend of vehicle parts being stolen and resold for massive profits. In total, 21 people in five states have been charged following busts, searches, and seizures in the following states, according to the DOJ: California; Oklahoma; Wyoming; Minnesota; New Jersey;…

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by Zak Failla
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Teaneck PD: Keen-Eyed Sergeant Nabs Overnight Catalytic Converter Thief From Englewood Teaneck PD: Keen-Eyed Sergeant Nabs Overnight Catalytic Converter Thief From Englewood
Teaneck PD: Keen-Eyed Sergeant Nabs Overnight Catalytic Converter Thief From Englewood Teaneck police who've been prowling local streets overnight looking for catalytic converter thieves caught one in the act, authorities said. Sgt. Jason Hosey was on a special pre-dawn detail looking for bandits swiping the devices when he spotted a man in a vehicle stopped on State Street that had what turned out to be a paper towel covering the rear license plate, Deputy Police Chief Andrew R. McGurr said It was enough to raise suspicions, given that it was nearly 4 a.m., he said. The driver, Nixon Francisco-Colon, 33, of Englewood, claimed to be a mechanic, the deputy chief said. He told…

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by Jerry DeMarco
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GONE IN 60 SECONDS: Catalytic Converter Thieves Caught On Video GONE IN 60 SECONDS: Catalytic Converter Thieves Caught On Video
Gone IN 60 Seconds: Catalytic Converter Thieves Caught On Video WATCH: Two thieves needed barely a minute to swipe a catalytic converter from a vehicle parked in a Bergen County resident's driveway, home security video shows. It begins when an Infiniti sedan pulls up to a home on East Passaic Street in Rochelle Park. Two passengers emerge wearing ski masks, hoodies and gloves. One of them has on a Reebok top and striped pants. The other carries what looks like a reciprocating saw with a light on the end. As his companion keeps a lookout, the tool wielder climbs under the front of the parked SUV, then reaches beneath the side. He emerges with the part…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
Thief Drags Jersey Shore Officer With Car During Struggle: Police Thief Drags Jersey Shore Officer With Car During Struggle: Police
Thief Drags Jersey Shore Officer With Car During Struggle: Police A Jersey Shore police officer was dragged by a catalytic converter thief during a struggle last week, authorities said. The Keyport officer responded to reports of a man trying to steal a catalytic converter off a vehicle near Main Street around 3:25 a.m. on Dec. 31 The man struggled with the officer and was able to get into what is believed to be a light gray or silver, older model, four-door sedan. During the struggle, the vehicle struck and dragged the officer as it was fleeing the scene. The officer was not seriously injured and was recovering.  Anyone with information please…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Catalytic Converter Thief From Paterson Caught Covered In Dirt, Leaves, Garfield PD Says Catalytic Converter Thief From Paterson Caught Covered In Dirt, Leaves, Garfield PD Says
Catalytic Converter Thief From Paterson Caught Covered In Dirt, Leaves, Garfield PD Says Garfield police caught a catalytic converter thief red-handed, authorities said. A Monroe Street resident heard a noise and found Louis G. Cadet Jr., 35, of Paterson doing something under a parked vehicle shortly before midnight Wednesday, Capt. Richard Uram said. Cadet, who was carrying a tool bag, quickly fled as the resident approached him, he said. Sgt. Michael Bocco and Officer Joseph Kopacz found Cadet in the area of Midland Avenue and Commerce Street moments later “covered in dirt and leaves as if he had been laying on the ground,” Uram said. Cadet “gave a false name and denied bei…

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
Rockin' The 60s: Veteran Culprits Nabbed In NJ-Wide Thefts Of Work Vans, Trucks, State Says Rockin' The 60s: Veteran Culprits Nabbed In NJ-Wide Thefts Of Work Vans, Trucks, State Says
Rockin' The 60s: Veteran Culprits Nabbed In Nj-wide Thefts Of Work Vans, Trucks, State Says Two ex-cons in their 60s were part of a ring that stole more than 30 work vehicles from victims in seven North Jersey counties, authorities said. Their end came in a quick succession of arrests that followed an operation led by New Jersey State Police -- and involving dozens of local police departments -- that was dubbed “Operation Cat Burglar.” Crew members in January began snatching work vans and trucks from owners in Bergen, Passaic, Essex, Union, Hudson, Morris, and Middlesex counties, state Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said. They stored the stolen vehicles in a lot in North Berg…

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by Jerry DeMarco
News
GONE IN 60 SECONDS: Critical Car Part Swiped At Alarming Rate In US, Fairview PD Nabs Duo GONE IN 60 SECONDS: Critical Car Part Swiped At Alarming Rate In US, Fairview PD Nabs Duo
Gone IN 60 Seconds: Critical Car Part Swiped At Alarming Rate In US, Fairview PD Nabs Duo Fairview detectives caught two thieves stealing catalytic converters amid what's become an explosion of thefts of the previous devices nationwide, authorities said. Law enforcement agencies everywhere are dealing with stealthy crews swiping the highly-prized emissions-control devices from the underbellies of vehicles parked in private driveways on otherwise quiet streets. “It’s a quick type of theft. They slide under a vehicle, go snip-snip and they’re gone,” Police Chief Martin Kahn said Monday. “They don’t have to steal the whole car.” Installed in almost all gasoline cars and trucks so…

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by Jerry DeMarco