Tag:

Catalytic Converter Theft

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…
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…
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 …
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…
$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.
$550M Sought From Thieves In Federal Catalytic Converter Crackdown $550M Sought From Thieves In Federal Catalytic Converter Crackdown
$550M Sought From Thieves In Federal Catalytic Converter Crackdown Catalytic converter thieves across the US could soon have to cough up $550 million as part of a federal, state and local crackdown on the thefts and resales that turned a massive profit, authorities announced. The Department of Justice announced on Wednesday, Nov. 2 that it will be seeking forfeiture from those responsible for the trend of vehicle parts being stolen and resold for massive profits. In total, 21 people in five states have been charged following busts, searches, and seizures in the following states, according to the DOJ: California; Oklahoma; Wyoming; Minnesota; New Jersey;…
Catalytic Converters Stolen From 9 School Buses In South Jersey: Police Catalytic Converters Stolen From 9 School Buses In South Jersey: Police
Catalytic Converters Stolen From 9 School Buses In South Jersey: Police Catalytic converters were stolen from nine mini-school buses at a South Jersey high school over the weekend, authorities said. Surveillance footage shows a white utility truck enter Moorestown High School’s parking lot at 11:59 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, Moorestown police said. Police said it’s believed two suspects are responsible, though a description was not available. They released a photo of the truck involved. The valuable metal from catalytic converters is often sold to scrap yards. Anyone with information is asked to call Moorestown police at 856-914-3092 or email detectives@moorestow…
Accused Catalytic Converter Thief Busted With Burglar’s Tools, Crack Cocaine In Ewing: Police Accused Catalytic Converter Thief Busted With Burglar’s Tools, Crack Cocaine In Ewing: Police
Accused Catalytic Converter Thief Busted With Burglar’s Tools, Crack Cocaine In Ewing: Police A Trenton man previously accused of stealing catalytic converters was busted with a variety of burglar’s tools and crack cocaine by officers investigating even more catalytic converter thefts around Ewing, police said. Ewing Police Officer David Massi saw Anthony Riggins, 49, crouching behind a vehicle while patroling Troy Avenue around 3:55 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 11, authorities said in a release. Riggins subsequently ran from officers who tried to conduct an investigative stop and was later found hiding in tall grass on the lot of 320 Robbins Ave., police said. Riggins was arrested after …
GONE IN 60 SECONDS: Catalytic Converter Thieves Caught On Video GONE IN 60 SECONDS: Catalytic Converter Thieves Caught On Video
Gone IN 60 Seconds: Catalytic Converter Thieves Caught On Video WATCH: Two thieves needed barely a minute to swipe a catalytic converter from a vehicle parked in a Bergen County resident's driveway, home security video shows. It begins when an Infiniti sedan pulls up to a home on East Passaic Street in Rochelle Park. Two passengers emerge wearing ski masks, hoodies and gloves. One of them has on a Reebok top and striped pants. The other carries what looks like a reciprocating saw with a light on the end. As his companion keeps a lookout, the tool wielder climbs under the front of the parked SUV, then reaches beneath the side. He emerges with the part…
Thief Drags Jersey Shore Officer With Car During Struggle: Police Thief Drags Jersey Shore Officer With Car During Struggle: Police
Thief Drags Jersey Shore Officer With Car During Struggle: Police A Jersey Shore police officer was dragged by a catalytic converter thief during a struggle last week, authorities said. The Keyport officer responded to reports of a man trying to steal a catalytic converter off a vehicle near Main Street around 3:25 a.m. on Dec. 31 The man struggled with the officer and was able to get into what is believed to be a light gray or silver, older model, four-door sedan. During the struggle, the vehicle struck and dragged the officer as it was fleeing the scene. The officer was not seriously injured and was recovering.  Anyone with information please…
Jersey Shore Couple Charged In Catalytic Converter Thefts Worth $25K Jersey Shore Couple Charged In Catalytic Converter Thefts Worth $25K
Jersey Shore Couple Charged In Catalytic Converter Thefts Worth $25K A man and woman from Manchester have been arrested in connection with stealing catalytic converters from vehicles, authorities said. Joseph Cook, 35, and Anna Hardy, face various charges of theft and criminal mischief, according to police. These thefts, which occurred over the past three months throughout Manchester Township, as well as surrounding areas, resulted in an estimated collective financial loss to the victims in excess of $25,000, police said. Detectives began conducting surveillance, and on Saturday, they observed Cook and Hardy in Barnegat and Tabernacle townships. In both loc…
Rockin' The 60s: Veteran Culprits Nabbed In NJ-Wide Thefts Of Work Vans, Trucks, State Says Rockin' The 60s: Veteran Culprits Nabbed In NJ-Wide Thefts Of Work Vans, Trucks, State Says
Rockin' The 60s: Veteran Culprits Nabbed In Nj-wide Thefts Of Work Vans, Trucks, State Says Two ex-cons in their 60s were part of a ring that stole more than 30 work vehicles from victims in seven North Jersey counties, authorities said. Their end came in a quick succession of arrests that followed an operation led by New Jersey State Police -- and involving dozens of local police departments -- that was dubbed “Operation Cat Burglar.” Crew members in January began snatching work vans and trucks from owners in Bergen, Passaic, Essex, Union, Hudson, Morris, and Middlesex counties, state Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said. They stored the stolen vehicles in a lot in North Berg…
GONE IN 60 SECONDS: Critical Car Part Swiped At Alarming Rate In US, Fairview PD Nabs Duo GONE IN 60 SECONDS: Critical Car Part Swiped At Alarming Rate In US, Fairview PD Nabs Duo
Gone IN 60 Seconds: Critical Car Part Swiped At Alarming Rate In US, Fairview PD Nabs Duo Fairview detectives caught two thieves stealing catalytic converters amid what's become an explosion of thefts of the previous devices nationwide, authorities said. Law enforcement agencies everywhere are dealing with stealthy crews swiping the highly-prized emissions-control devices from the underbellies of vehicles parked in private driveways on otherwise quiet streets. “It’s a quick type of theft. They slide under a vehicle, go snip-snip and they’re gone,” Police Chief Martin Kahn said Monday. “They don’t have to steal the whole car.” Installed in almost all gasoline cars and trucks so…