Catalytic converter thieves worked 'like a NASCAR pit crew' stealing devices in Mass., NH, feds say
BOSTON – Prosecutors said seven people charged in an organized theft ring worked "like a NASCAR pit crew" as they stole nearly 500 catalytic converters from vehicles in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
On Wednesday, U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Rachael Rollins announced federal charges against Rafael Davila, Jose Torres, Nicolas Davila, Carlos Fonseca, Zachary Marshall, Santo Feliberty and Alexander Oyola.
The FBI Boston's Organized Crime Task Force and Massachusetts State Police made the arrests during an investigation dubbed "Operation Cut and Run."
Rollins said the seven men targeted more than 450 vehicles from 2022-2023, stealing over 470 catalytic converters. Repairs to the damaged vehicles likely cost a total of around $2 million.
"The crime, according to court documents, takes less than one minute and effectively leaves these vehicles disabled," Rollins said.
Read: Which towns had the most catalytic converters stolen?
Catalytic converters are very valuable on the black market because they're made using rare metals, including palladium, which is more expensive than gold.
Police said the converters are worth about $1,000 apiece on the black market. Thieves use power tools to remove the car parts within minutes.
Prosecutors said that sometimes the men would hit 10 vehicles in a night. They allegedly made stole as many as 26 catalytic converters in one night.
Rollins said thieves regularly target commercial delivery vehicles, including Isuzu, Nissan, Ford trucks and vans, and passenger vehicles like Toyota Prius and Corollas.
"Catalytic converters are easy to steal. They're valuable and they lack identifiable markings that can easily be traced by law enforcement." FBI Special-Agent-in-Charge Joe Bonavolonta said.
Rafael Davila, who referred to himself as "Robbin Hood," allegedly was the theft crew leader. He would allegedly participate in the converter thefts with his brother Nicolas Davila as well as Fonseca, Feliberty, and Marshall.
According to prosecutors, Rafael Davila maintained "meticulous notes" accounting for the locations that were targeted and what was stolen.
"They were sold to core buyers in New Jersey and Connecticut and it's alleged that in some weeks, these seven individuals received between $40-80,000 for their crimes," Rollins said.
On Wednesday, authorities executed search warrants at locations in Agawam, Springfield, Palmer, and Holyoke. A Massachusetts State Police spokesperson said seven firearms, narcotics, cars, jet skis and more than 20 catalytic converters were seized among other items.
All seven men are expected to be arraigned Wednesday afternoon at federal court in Boston.
Last year, WBZ-TV's I-Team found that catalytic converter thefts have risen in several cities and towns. Because most of palladium is mined in Russia, the war in Ukraine is driving the price of the metal even higher.