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Catalytic Converter Theft

21-Year-Old Leader Of CT Catalytic Converter Theft Ring Charged In Southington: Police 21-Year-Old Leader Of CT Catalytic Converter Theft Ring Charged In Southington: Police
21-Year-Old Leader Of CT Catalytic Converter Theft Ring Charged In Southington: Police A 21-year-old man is accused of leading criminal activity across Connecticut, including the theft of catalytic converters, wheels, all-terrain vehicles, and commercial burglaries, police announced. Hartford County resident Ethan Angel Nieves of Newington was arrested on Monday, April 29 following a nine-month investigation into a ring of thefts and burglaries across the state, Southington Police announced on Thursday, May 2.  According to the department, the investigation determined that Nieves had been using a gray 2023 Honda Odyssey stolen from Farmington to commit crimes in Southing…
Man Admits Selling Over $34K In Catalytic Converters To East Hartford Warehouse Man Admits Selling Over $34K In Catalytic Converters To East Hartford Warehouse
Man Admits Selling Over $34K In Catalytic Converters To East Hartford Warehouse A 30-year-old Connecticut man has admitted to his role in a statewide stolen catalytic converter trafficking ring, federal officials announced. New Haven resident Michael Almodovar, also known as "Eme ElColorado," pleaded guilty on Wednesday, March 27 to charges related to his role in a stolen catalytic converter trafficking ring in Connecticut, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut announced.  According to federal officials, Almodovar's conviction follows an investigation into the theft of catalytic converters from vehicles across the state. This inve…
Thieves Steal Several Catalytic Converters In Toms River Neighborhood: Police Thieves Steal Several Catalytic Converters In Toms River Neighborhood: Police
Thieves Steal Several Catalytic Converters In Toms River Neighborhood: Police Toms River police are warning residents after a string of catalytic converter thefts over two days, authorities said. Suspects cut catalytic converters from six vehicles in a neighborhood near Garden State Parkway exit 83, Toms River police said in a Facebook post on Thursday, Feb. 29. The vehicles were parked on Colonial Drive, Curtis Place, Morristown Drive, Ivan Court, and Hilltop Drive. The affected vehicles included two Volkswagen Jettas, a Kia Soul, a Kia Sorento, a Kia Sportage, and a Honda Accord. Police released a photo of a white SUV suspected of being involved in t…
Darien Catalytic Converter Thief Nabbed 5 Years Later In Upstate NY, Police Say Darien Catalytic Converter Thief Nabbed 5 Years Later In Upstate NY, Police Say
Darien Catalytic Converter Thief Nabbed 5 Years Later In Upstate NY, Police Say A suspected catalytic converter thief from New York has been nabbed over five years later following an investigation that began in Connecticut and spanned two states and three counties. Jeraud Anthony, age 38, of the Bronx, was arrested on multiple charges Monday, Feb. 12, in connection with a stolen catalytic converter outside a business in Fairfield County. According to Darien Police, a woman contacted officers in September 2018 saying that someone had cut the catalytic converter off of her vehicle outside Darien Sport Shop on Post Road (Route 1). A witness told police they saw a vehicle…
Thieves Take Catalytic Converters, Target Vehicles In Wall Township: Police Thieves Take Catalytic Converters, Target Vehicles In Wall Township: Police
Thieves Take Catalytic Converters, Target Vehicles In Wall Township: Police Police in one Monmouth County township are looking into three incidents of thieves targeting vehicles, authorities said. Wall Township police said they're investigating after a report of an attempted burglary at a home on Apple Ridge Circle. It happened at around 3 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 31. Officers said multiple people had broken into the garage through a window. The suspects couldn't get into the home because the door between the garage and the house was locked. The homeowner was woken up by the noise from the break-in and called police. The suspects left through the garage door and po…
Bronx Men Charged With Stealing $34K Worth of Catalytic Converters In Central Jersey: Police Bronx Men Charged With Stealing $34K Worth of Catalytic Converters In Central Jersey: Police
Bronx Men Charged With Stealing $34K Worth of Catalytic Converters In Central Jersey: Police Two men from the Bronx have been charged with stealing dozens of catalytic converters from cars in Central Jersey, authorities said. Omar Fernandez, 31, and Gabriel M. Burgos, 31, were each charged with 20 counts of Theft, 19 counts of Criminal Mischief, 19 counts of Conspiracy to Commit Theft and 19 counts of Conspiracy to Commit Criminal Mischief, according to Middlesex Borough Police Chief Matthew P. Geist. The charges stem from a rash of catalytic converter thefts totaling $33,545 which occurred in Middlesex Borough between December of 2022 and February of this …
FBI Assists In Arrest Of Catalytic Converter Thief Who Led 100 MPH Pursuit: Secaucus PD FBI Assists In Arrest Of Catalytic Converter Thief Who Led 100 MPH Pursuit: Secaucus PD
FBI Assists In Arrest Of Catalytic Converter Thief Who Led 100 MPH Pursuit: Secaucus PD A 24-year-old man wanted for catalytic converter thefts was arrested with help from the FBI in Hudson County, authorities said. Randy Severino of Bayonne became the center of an investigation last June, when police in Garfield notified surrounding jurisdictions of a white Honda Civic, involved in catalytic converter thefts, Secaucus Police Chief Dennis Miller said. Secaucus Police Officer Jason Mitchell spotted the vehicle on Route 3 East traveling at speeds over 100 mile per hour, Miller said. The vehicle, which had been stolen out of Newark, failed to stop for police and a vehicle pursuit…
Suspected Catalytic Converter Thieves: Duo Arrested, One At Large In New Hyde Park Suspected Catalytic Converter Thieves: Duo Arrested, One At Large In New Hyde Park
Suspected Catalytic Converter Thieves: Duo Arrested, One At Large In New Hyde Park What started as a routine traffic stop to address illegally tinted windows turned into a foot chase to catch a trio believed to be stealing catalytic converters. Nassau County Police announced the arrest, which happened on Wednesday, Aug. 23 in New Hyde Park. At approximately 3:30 a.m., the trio was traveling south in a white BMW sedan on New Hyde Park Road with illegal non-transparent tinted windows, prompting officers to pull them over. Once police turned on their emergency lights, the driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle and collided with a tree across from McNulty Outdoors In…
Ansonia Man Who Sold $150K In Stolen Catalytic Converters Sentenced To Federal Prison Ansonia Man Who Sold $150K In Stolen Catalytic Converters Sentenced To Federal Prison
Ansonia Man Who Sold $150K In Stolen Catalytic Converters Sentenced To Federal Prison A Connecticut man has been sentenced to federal prison for taking part in a stolen catalytic converter trafficking ring in which he made more than $150,000. New Haven County resident Francisco Ayala, age 22, of Ansonia, was sentenced to 2-and-half years in federal prison after pleading guilty last year to conspiracy, said Vanessa Roberts Avery, US Attorney for the District of Connecticut.  Once released, he will serve three years of probation. According to court documents and statements made in court, an investigation revealed that Ayala engaged in numerous catalytic converter thefts …
Philly Tow Yard Operated Multi-Million Dollar Catalytic Converter Theft Ring: DA Philly Tow Yard Operated Multi-Million Dollar Catalytic Converter Theft Ring: DA
Philly Tow Yard Operated Multi-Million Dollar Catalytic Converter Theft Ring: DA A Philadelphia-based criminal organization involved in the mass theft of catalytic converters has been shut down, authorities announced in a press conference Tuesday, June 27.  Ten adults and one 17-year-old are accused of targeting cars across the Delaware Valley, said Bucks County District Attorney Matthew Weintraub.  Catalytic converters, pollution control devices found on the bottom of gas-powered vehicles, are made with "rare and precious metals" that make tempting targets for thieves, and reports of stolen converters have "skyrocketed" across the region in recent years, the DA's Offi…
26 Catalytic Converters Stolen Overnight In Teaneck: One Caught, One Sought 26 Catalytic Converters Stolen Overnight In Teaneck: One Caught, One Sought
26 Catalytic Converters Stolen Overnight In Teaneck: One Caught, One Sought Two men were part of a quick-strike crew who stole 26 catalytic converters combined over two early mornings in Teaneck, said authorities who arrested one and are searching for the other. The crew, which is responsible for countless recent catalytic converter thefts throughout New Jersey, swiped nine of the devices in the northeast section of Teaneck on Jan. 21, followed by 17 more ten days later, Teaneck Police Chief Andrew McGurr said. The thieves trolled the area during the early morning hours in a stolen SUV bearing a bogus temporary registration tag, the chief said. Thieves have been …
Atlantic City Man Caught With Numerous Catalytic Converters, Pills: Police Atlantic City Man Caught With Numerous Catalytic Converters, Pills: Police
Atlantic City Man Caught With Numerous Catalytic Converters, Pills: Police A 50-year-old man from Atlantic City has been charged with receiving stolen property after 24 catalytic converters were found during a search of his home. On Thursday, June 1, Atlantic City detectives made a warranted search in the 100 block of north Iowa Avenue following an investigation into drug dealing, police said. The target of the investigation, Felix Beltran, was located at the residence and arrested on an active warrant, they said. During a search of the residence, detectives recovered numerous prescription pills, paraphernalia used in the distribution of drugs, the catalytic conv…
Farmer Pistol-Whipped, Robbed Before Milking Cows In Orange: Suspects At Large Farmer Pistol-Whipped, Robbed Before Milking Cows In Orange: Suspects At Large
Farmer Pistol-Whipped, Robbed Before Milking Cows In Orange: Suspects At Large Authorities are searching for two suspects who assaulted and robbed a farmer in New Haven County while he was on his way to milk his cows.  The incident happened on Saturday, May 20 around 4 a.m. when police responded to the Fieldview Farm located in Orange on Derby Avenue for a reported assault and robbery, according to Orange Police.  Once officers arrived, the victim reported that when he left his home to milk his cows, he was approached by two unknown men who were wearing black face coverings.  One of the men, who was armed with what appeared to be a black handgun, …
Black Market Brothers: Alleged Long Beach Catalytic Converter Traffickers Indicted Black Market Brothers: Alleged Long Beach Catalytic Converter Traffickers Indicted
Black Market Brothers: Alleged Long Beach Catalytic Converter Traffickers Indicted Two brothers have been charged with an 81-count indictment for supposedly trafficking stolen catalytic converters from other states and selling the precious metals inside of them, authorities announced. On Friday, May 12, Long Beach brothers Alan and Andrew Pawelsky, aged 28 and 25, respectively, were charged for their involvement in trafficking catalytic converters on the black market, opening them up, and making millions off of the precious metals inside, according to the Nassau County District Attorney. According to the charges against them, the scheme lasted from June 2021 to December…
Man Steals Catalytic Converter From Car Parked At Putnam Valley High School: Police Man Steals Catalytic Converter From Car Parked At Putnam Valley High School: Police
Man Steals Catalytic Converter From Car Parked At Putnam Valley High School: Police A man faces numerous charges after allegedly stealing catalytic converters from vehicles throughout the Hudson Valley and Connecticut, including one that was parked at a high school, police said.  The arrest stemmed from an incident that happened on Thursday, March 23 around 3 p.m., when a Putnam County sheriff's deputy assigned as a school resource officer at Putnam Valley High School was told that a vehicle parked in the school's lot had a catalytic converter stolen from it.  According to the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, this deputy was able to obtain surveillance video …
Catalytic Converter Thieves Busted After Car Chase Through Delco: Police Catalytic Converter Thieves Busted After Car Chase Through Delco: Police
Catalytic Converter Thieves Busted After Car Chase Through Delco: Police A trio of suspected catalytic converter thieves was arrested and charged after an early morning police chase through Delaware County on Monday, May 8, authorities say.  The three Philadelphia men were arrested on I-95 near the Route 420 Exit just before 4 a.m., Nether Providence Township police wrote in a release. They are:  Kevin K. Green, 40, charged with several misdemeanor counts related to theft Marc Williams, 28, charged with several misdemeanor counts related to theft George T. Tittle, 44, charged with felony eluding police, traffic offenses, and several misdemea…
Medford Catalytic Converter Thief Pleads Guilty For Second Incident: DA Medford Catalytic Converter Thief Pleads Guilty For Second Incident: DA
Medford Catalytic Converter Thief Pleads Guilty For Second Incident: DA A Long Island man already serving time for stealing catalytic converters has pleaded guilty to doing it again, authorities said. Daniel Labbe’s Thursday, April 27 guilty plea could lead him to face two to four more years behind bars, on top of his current sentence, the Suffolk County District Attorney announced. Earlier Report: Trio Indicted In Rash Of Catalytic Converter Thefts In Suffolk County According to court documents and his plea, Labbe, 43, of Medford, removed two catalytic converters from a work truck parked in front of MJM Plumbing & Mechanical, Inc. in Rocky Point. The…
Catalytic Converter Trafficking Ring: CT Man Admits To Stealing Them From Vans In Stratford Catalytic Converter Trafficking Ring: CT Man Admits To Stealing Them From Vans In Stratford
Catalytic Converter Trafficking Ring: CT Man Admits To Stealing Them From Vans In Stratford A New Haven County man has admitted to stealing catalytic converters throughout Connecticut and selling around $150,000 worth of them as part of a multi-state trafficking ring.  Ansonia resident Francisco Ayala, age 22, pleaded guilty to participating in the scheme in Hartford Federal Court on Tuesday, April 4, according to the US Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut.  According to federal officials, Ayala had been involved in a number of catalytic converter thefts across the state, including one incident where he was caught on surveillance video steali…
Catalytic Converter Thief Arrested After Chesco Car Chase, Cops Say Catalytic Converter Thief Arrested After Chesco Car Chase, Cops Say
Catalytic Converter Thief Arrested After Chesco Car Chase, Cops Say A Delaware man led police in a car chase through Chester County, crashing into civilians and fleeing on foot before being taken into custody, authorities say.  It happened early on Wednesday, March 15, when Westtown-East Goshen Regional police were called to DML Automotive at 1001 Wilmington Pike at about 7:20 a.m., the department wrote in a release.  There, police were told that a suspect had just fled the property with a catalytic converter, authorities said. One officer spotted a man and vehicle matching the suspect description and gave chase when the driver refused to pul…
Catalytic Converter Thieves Drawing Intense Attention Of Police In Teaneck Catalytic Converter Thieves Drawing Intense Attention Of Police In Teaneck
Catalytic Converter Thieves Drawing Intense Attention Of Police In Teaneck It began with an overnight call to police from a Teaneck resident who heard an electric saw being used just outside the family's home. In no time, catalytic converter thieves had hit at least a dozen vehicles in the area, Police Chief Andrew R. McGurr said. Such thieves have been cutting out converters and selling them for scrap for years. It's recently become something of an epidemic, though -- one that is made all the more visible by the explosion of home security video. The highly-prized emissions-control devices help remove nitrogen oxide and other potentially toxic pollutants from a …
30 Catalytic Converters Stolen From East Hartford School Buses 30 Catalytic Converters Stolen From East Hartford School Buses
30 Catalytic Converters Stolen From East Hartford School Buses More than 30 catalytic converters were stolen from school buses from two businesses in East Hartford. The converters were stolen between Friday, Jan. 20, and Monday, Jan. 23 from First Student at 68 Alna Lane and Autumn Transportation at 52 Oakland Ave. in East Hartford. According to East Hartford Police Officer Marc Caruso, the two business reported the thefts of the  catalytic converters from their lots. There were more than 30 catalytic converter thefts between the two businesses. School officials did not respond to say if transportation of students to area schools was impacted.&…
Trio Indicted In Rash Of Catalytic Converter Thefts In Suffolk County Trio Indicted In Rash Of Catalytic Converter Thefts In Suffolk County
Trio Indicted In Rash Of Catalytic Converter Thefts In Suffolk County Three men have been formally charged in connection with a string of catalytic converter thefts on Long Island. The parts were stolen from trucks and vans in Rocky Point, Holbrook, and Bellport, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. Related Report: Long Beach Raids Net Thousands Of Stolen Catalytic Converters, $4 Million In Cash, Police Say Prosecutors identified the suspects as James O’Brien, age 45; Daniel Labbe, age 43; and Jason Labbe, age 45, all of Medford. O’Brien is accused of stealing a catalytic converter from a work van in Bellport in September 2022. …
Theft Of Catalytic Converters From Torrington School Buses Delays Start Time By 2 Hours Theft Of Catalytic Converters From Torrington School Buses Delays Start Time By 2 Hours
Theft Of Catalytic Converters From Torrington School Buses Delays Start Time By 2 Hours A Connecticut school district is on a two-hour delay due to the theft of catalytic converters from school buses. The thefts took place in Litchfield County sometime overnight on Monday, Jan. 9, in Torrington. The Torrington School District said on its website that school had to be delayed for up to two hours due to the thefts. The district did not say how many converters were stolen, or how soon the buses would be repaired. An investigation is ongoing by the Torrington Police Department.
New Rochelle Police To Etch Catalytic Converters With Numbers To Prevent Thefts New Rochelle Police To Etch Catalytic Converters With Numbers To Prevent Thefts
New Rochelle Police To Etch Catalytic Converters With Numbers To Prevent Thefts A police department in Westchester County is launching an effort to assist with stopping the theft of catalytic converters.   The New Rochelle Police Department is hoping to find stolen converters by etching them with numbers that will then be registered into a national database, police said in a post from Saturday, Dec. 17.  These numbers will then help police find the owners of any recovered stolen converters, which will aid them in prosecuting the criminals who take them, according to the department.  The use of these etched numbers is the second part of the departme…
Suspects Who Stole Catalytic Converters From Garrison Train Station Caught, Police Say Suspects Who Stole Catalytic Converters From Garrison Train Station Caught, Police Say
Suspects Who Stole Catalytic Converters From Garrison Train Station Caught, Police Say A duo who stole catalytic converters from a train station in the Hudson Valley have been caught, police said.  On Thursday afternoon, Dec. 15, police in Putnam County received two reports from people who had their catalytic converters stolen at the Garrison Train Station, according to the Putnam County Sheriff's Office.  After an investigation, two suspects were identified and taken into custody by the Beacon Police Department, according to authorities.  The suspects, whose identities have not yet been released, are also responsible for thefts outside of Putnam County, polic…
Out-Of-State Trio Accused Of Stealing 12K Worth In Catalytic Converters In Braintree Out-Of-State Trio Accused Of Stealing 12K Worth In Catalytic Converters In Braintree
Out-Of-State Trio Accused Of Stealing 12K Worth In Catalytic Converters In Braintree Three men from Rhode Island were arrested after causing $12,000 in damage by stealing catalytic converters on the South Shore, authorities said. Braintree Police responded to an alarm call from a business on Wood Road in Braintree around 11 p.m. on Halloween, Oct. 31, Braintree Police report. Officers were unable to find anyone after searching the area but 30 minutes later, police got another call saying that several people were seen on camera in the yard.  Officers entered the yard and heard other people jumping the opposite fence towards Chickatawbut Road, police said. The officers kept …
21 Catalytic Converters Recovered, Gang Of Four Busted By Clifton PD 21 Catalytic Converters Recovered, Gang Of Four Busted By Clifton PD
21 Catalytic Converters Recovered, Gang Of Four Busted By Clifton PD GOTCHA! Clifton police recovered 21 catalytic converters while arresting four men who they said stole them. Officers responding to a theft in progress on East 4th Street stopped a fleeing Kia in Paterson and arrested the lone occupant, Pedro Mirben-Feliz, 26, of Brooklyn around 3:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, Detective Lt. Robert Bracken said. A second vehicle, an Acura TL, crashed on Route 3 in Secaucus, where police arrested three occupants -- driver Juan Ortegalazala, 29, of the Bronx and passengers Yheremy Santana, 22, and Angel Batista, 18, both of Jersey City,  the lieutenant said. Betw…
16 Catalytic Converters Stolen From Manchester U-Haul Business, Police Say 16 Catalytic Converters Stolen From Manchester U-Haul Business, Police Say
16 Catalytic Converters Stolen From Manchester U-Haul Business, Police Say Police in Connecticut are searching for three suspects after 16 catalytic converters were stolen from vehicles at a U-Haul business. The incident took place in Hartford County on Saturday, Oct. 29 in Manchester at 432 Oakland St. According to Lt. Ryan Shea, of the Manchester Poice, employees arriving to work early Saturday discovered the damage to multiple vehicles and notified the police. The damaged vehicles included six cargo vans, four pickup trucks, and six box trucks, Shea said. Officers gathered evidence from the scene and are working with the business to gain furthe…
South Windsor Catalytic Converter Thieves Shoot At Victim Following Them, Police Say South Windsor Catalytic Converter Thieves Shoot At Victim Following Them, Police Say
South Windsor Catalytic Converter Thieves Shoot At Victim Following Them, Police Say Police in Connecticut are searching for two men who allegedly shot a person following them after being seen attempting to steal a catalytic converter. The incident took place in Hartford County around 10 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 2 on Chapel Road in South Windsor. According to Sgt. Mark Cleverdon, of the South Windsor Police, a resident called the police department after spotting a suspicious car parked in his parking lot with two suspects underneath a truck. The suspects got into a dark-colored, four-door, Mercedes-Benz sedan and drove away with the victim following behind, Cleverdon sai…
Manassas Auto Shop To Provide Catalytic Converter Etching To Prevent Rise Of Recent Thefts Manassas Auto Shop To Provide Catalytic Converter Etching To Prevent Rise Of Recent Thefts
Manassas Auto Shop To Provide Catalytic Converter Etching To Prevent Rise Of Recent Thefts With thefts of catalytic converters out of vehicles spiking across the country as thieves look to make a quick buck - or thousand bucks - a police agency in Virginia has come up with a unique way to help slow them down and curtail the thievery. This weekend in Prince William County, G&C Tire & Auto Service will be providing free catalytic converter etching for residents who bring their vehicles to their shop on Pump Station Way in Manassas. The etching will be provided between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5. G&C Tire & Auto Services at 11707 Pump Station Way in …
$1M In Cash, $2M In Luxury Cars, 200 Catalytic Converter Pallets Seized In Federal NJ Bust $1M In Cash, $2M In Luxury Cars, 200 Catalytic Converter Pallets Seized In Federal NJ Bust
$1M In Cash, $2M In Luxury Cars, 200 Catalytic Converter Pallets Seized In Federal NJ Bust A Homeland Security investigation netted eight area arrests, including six in Newark, as part of a nationwide takedown of a large catalytic converter and stolen car ring. HSI and FBI agents seized more than 200 pallets of catalytic converters, $2 million in exotic cars, $1 million in cash and 29 ounces of gold bars, jewelry and high-value handbags as part of the operation.  "This criminal enterprise involved multiple suspects across the country," said Special Agent In Charge Ricky J. Patel of HSI Newark.  A total of 21 suspects were arrested in eight states.