Sale of stolen catalytic converters is now more restrictive in New Jersey

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The business models of thieves trying to sell stolen catalysts for scrap dealers in New Jersey they have become more challenging.

Legislation that makes it difficult to resale stolen goods issue devices to the companies that buy them to extract valuable metals from the earth was signed into law last week by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. Takes effect immediately.

“By implementing guidelines on the sale and purchase of catalytic converters, we raise the bar of accountability, making it harder for criminals to profit from stolen converters and easier for law enforcement to bring them to justice,” said Attorney General Matthew Platkin in a press release. release. a similar measure intended to thwart cat burglars went into effect last year in California.

Among the guidelines specified by the law is one that requires verification of ownership when selling used catalytic converters to junkyards. Those dealers are now required to document the vehicle identification number and certificate of title or registration of the donor vehicle. Fines are imposed on those who fail to comply with the new rules.

TO study published this month by the National Insurance Crime Bureau found that reports of stolen catalytic converters skyrocketed from 16,660 in 2020 to 64,701 last year, according to insurance industry data. That study also noted that some metal recyclers will pay between $50 and $250 for a catalytic converter and up to $800 for one withdrawn from a hybrid vehicle.

“Replacing catalytic converters is not cheap,” the study observed. Costs can range from $1,000 to $3,500 or more to replace a stolen catalytic converter.

According to a report in the Morristown Daily Record, New Jersey was among the “theft hotspots” for catalytic converters last year, up 152 percent over 2021. That was the second-highest year-over-year increase behind only New York, at 184 percent. , according to the report.