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Catalytic Converters

All articles tagged with #catalytic converters

crime2 years ago

The Fate of Your Stolen Catalytic Converter Revealed

The theft of catalytic converters, which contain valuable metals, has become a billion-dollar epidemic, with stolen devices passing through middlemen, smelters, and refineries before being sold primarily to companies that make catalytic converters for automakers, as well as pharmaceutical companies, military contractors, and banks. The provenance of the stolen metal becomes opaque along the way, leaving beneficiaries with plausible deniability and little incentive to stop the thefts. Despite efforts to combat the problem, including dismantling criminal rings and introducing new laws, the thefts continue, causing financial losses and violence. The true scale of the crime is difficult to determine, but estimates suggest that about 6% of the 12 million catalytic converters recycled each year are believed to have been stolen.

via The New York Times|
#catalytic-converters#crime#criminal-networks
crime2 years ago

Catalytic Converter Theft: Trends, Guilty Pleas, and Recovery Locations

The theft of catalytic converters, which contain valuable metals, has become a billion-dollar epidemic, with stolen devices passing through middlemen, smelters, and refineries before being blended with legitimate supplies and sold to various industries. The stolen metal is difficult to trace, leaving beneficiaries with plausible deniability. Banks and shadow bankers provide financing for processing the metals, while the thefts continue despite efforts to combat them. The article highlights the involvement of companies like Stillwater Mining, which paid over $170 million for stolen converters, and the role of enablers in the market. The thefts have led to violence, with shootouts and stabbings occurring, and the true scale of the crime is often underreported.

via The New York Times|
#catalytic-converters#crime#criminal-networks
crime2 years ago

Multiple Arrests Made in Connection to Massive Catalytic Converter Theft in Chicago

Two men have been arrested in Humboldt Park, Chicago, after the police recovered over 200 stolen catalytic converters and related equipment. Marzel Woodard and Vincent Parks are facing charges related to the thefts, including vehicle theft conspiracy and possession of stolen motor vehicles. They are scheduled to appear in bond court on Saturday.

via WLS-TV|
#arrests#catalytic-converters#chicago
law2 years ago

"Virginia Braces for Impact of New Laws Effective July 2023"

Several new laws passed by the Virginia General Assembly will go into effect on July 1, including traffic safety laws, deceptive ticket sales prohibition, and felony charges for stolen catalytic converters. The "Move Over" law requires drivers to move over when they see a stationary vehicle with flashing hazard lights. Blue headlights are prohibited, and people will be notified before a 30-day free trial runs out. Fentanyl distribution is now considered a weapon of terrorism, and the penalty for distributing fentanyl has increased. Selling or purchasing a catalytic converter that has been detached from a vehicle is now a felony.

via WWBT|
#catalytic-converters#deceptive-ticket-sales#felony-charges
crime2 years ago

"Over 600 Catalytic Converters Seized in Record-Breaking Bust"

Cook County Sheriff's police recovered over 600 stolen catalytic converters in a bust and arrested Ramy Sandoka, who is now facing felony charges for reselling them. The theft of catalytic converters has increased 400% nationwide since 2019, and Illinois ranks third highest in the country for this type of crime. The minerals in catalytic converters, including rhodium, platinum, and palladium, can be worth thousands of dollars, making them a target for thieves. Parking in a garage or a well-lit area with cameras can deter thieves.

via WLS-TV|
#bust#catalytic-converters#cook-county-sheriff
local-news2 years ago

Spate of Shootings in Downtown and North Side Leaves Multiple Injured

A suspect was shot while allegedly stealing catalytic converters at a North Side business in San Antonio. An employee at a furniture store saw the suspect stealing catalytic converters and chased him onto a car lot next door, where they got into a scuffle. They ended up back in the store’s parking lot and got into another scuffle. The worker then shot the suspect, wounding him in his legs. The suspect was taken to the hospital with injuries that are not expected to be life-threatening. Police found a catalytic converter and believe it was stolen.

via KSAT San Antonio|
#catalytic-converters#local-news#san-antonio
crime2 years ago

"Massachusetts Men Steal $2 Million Worth of Catalytic Converters with NASCAR Speed"

Seven Massachusetts men were arrested for stealing at least $2 million worth of catalytic converters from vehicles across New England. The men worked with the skill and speed of a “NASCAR pit crew” to strip cars of their catalytic converters under the cloak of darkness. The converters contain platinum, palladium, and rhodium, making them valuable on the black market. The FBI and nearly 80 police departments were involved in the investigation, dubbed “Operation Cut and Run.” The men also conspired to steal from ATMs and committed burglaries at two New Hampshire jewelry stores.

via New York Post |
#arrests#catalytic-converters#crime
crime2 years ago

FBI busts catalytic converter theft ring in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

Seven Massachusetts men were arrested for stealing at least $2 million worth of catalytic converters from vehicles across New England. The men worked with the speed of a "NASCAR pit crew" to strip cars of their catalytic converters under the cloak of darkness. The converters contain valuable metals, including palladium, and are worth about $1,000 apiece on the black market. The FBI and nearly 80 police departments were involved in the investigation, dubbed "Operation Cut and Run." The men also conspired to steal from ATMs and committed burglaries at two New Hampshire jewelry stores.

via Fox News|
#catalytic-converters#crime#fbi