Police Director Alphonse Petracco and Chief Thomas Strumolo are advising residents of recent catalytic converter thefts.

Police are working with neighboring agencies to identify actors that are responsible for stealing at least four catalytic converters from Nutley Vehicles during the early morning hours.

Residents on Prospect, Mapes, Vine and Ridge. All reported loud exhausts when starting their vehicles early this morning. Detectives confirmed that surrounding towns are investigating thefts as well.

One suspect vehicle identified as a dark blue BMW X 5 containing four to five masked parties fled from police when observed on Hopper at 4:01 AM.

Chief Strumolo said that converters have high scrap value, thieves cut them from the underside of select vehicles using battery operated saws. The entire theft takes no longer than five minutes and often unheard due to air-conditioning and closed windows on homes.

Police ask if anyone captured actors on their surveillance contact us at 973-284-4940 or 911