Catalytic converter thieves strike in Cornish and Plainfield

CORNISH — Theft of catalytic converters that have plagued several Upper Valley towns has reached Cornish and Plainfield as well. The towns report multiple vehicles were struck along Route 120 in the early morning hours Friday.

Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying the owner of what appeared to be an “older model” light blue or silver Hyundai Elantra captured on video passing the Plainfield Fire Department’s Meriden Station on Route 120, following the theft of catalytic converters from two vehicles at the Meriden Garage around 3 a.m. on Friday morning.

In addition, four catalytic converters from vehicles occurred at what police believe to be near the same time on Route 120 in Cornish, including two from vehicles parked at Straightaway Auto, said Officer Justin Vivian with Cornish Police.

Vivian said video taken across from Meriden Station showed a “driver pulled over, kind of half in the road, half off the road and a passenger got out, went over with a black bag and cut off a few converters, got back in the car and they continued northbound.”

Although thefts of catalytic converters, which contain valuable metals that can be sold to metal recyclers, are a regular occurrence, “this is pretty much a first in Cornish,” Vivian said.

People with information regarding the converter thefts can contact Vivian of Cornish Police at 603-543-0535 or Plainfield Police at 603-469-3344. Tips may be reported anonymously, police said.