Lambertville Police Probe Series Of Catalytic Converter Thefts

The City of Lambertville Police Department is investigating a spree of catalytic converters thefts that occurred last week.

The thefts were all reported to officers last Wednesday morning, and police are investigating.

It was unclear if all the incidents were connected.

According to police, the first incident was reported at 5:53 a.m. when a resident on South Franklin Street reported seeing three people wearing ski masks.

Police said suspects stole the catalytic converter from the resident’s Honda.

The suspects reportedly fled the scene in a black four-door sedan.

At 9:53 a.m., a resident on George Street reported their catalytic converter stolen from their vehicle, a Volkswagen Jetta.

The resident turned on the vehicle and realized it sounded unusually loud.

The three suspects in the thefts were operating a black four-door sedan, police said.  

A second resident on South Franklin Street reported at 10:38 a.m. that their catalytic converter was stolen from their vehicle, a Volkswagen Jetta.

After starting their vehicle, the resident noticed a strange noise and found the catalytic converter was stolen, police said.

Police provided tips for residents to avoid catalytic converter thefts:

1. Park your vehicle inside your garage or in secure side yard.
2. If you have to park outside, leave on exterior lights or install motion detector lights.
3. Check into installing an additional sensor to converter’s that set off the vehicle’s alarm when the thieves attempt to steal it.
4. Ask your repair shop to tack weld the nut and bolt: it helps prevent most thieves from easily unbolting the assembly.
5. Paint and/or engrave your converter with your VIN #. Marked converters make them less valuable to thieves.

Police advised that residents should immediately dial 9-1-1 upon noticing anyone beneath a parked car overnight or when few people are present.

For anyone with information on the thefts, the police department can be reached at 609-397-3132.