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Catalytic Converters Stolen from Vehicles Parked at Rider University

Nine people have reported that catalytic converters were stolen from the underside of their vehicles in parking lots at the Lawrenceville campus of Rider University.

The majority of the reports were received at the end of last week and over the weekend.

Catalytic converter thefts take less than five minutes with a battery-operated saw and there is minimal noise.

“We have been informed that thefts have also occurred in surrounding communities and institutions,” wrote Vickie Weaver, Rider’s director of public safety, in an email to students and staff this week. “We are working closely with Lawrence Township Police to identify the individuals responsible and have shared video footage of the suspected vehicle.”

The suspects in the case are believed to be two or three men in a mid to late 2000 silver Nissan Altima.

Members of the department of public safety at the school are patrolling parking lots in both marked and unmarked vehicles and on foot from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Lawrence Township Police were aware of the thefts when they conducted their supplemental patrols last weekend, school officials said.