More defendants accused of $620M catalytic converter theft ring between California, New Jersey
(FOX40.COM) — Six more people have been added to an indictment regarding an alleged scheme to steal catalytic converters in California and send them to New Jersey to be sold, according to the U.S. Dept. of Justice.
Court documents say that three California residents and six New Jersey residents were charged in the original indictment in November 2022.
Two New Jersey brothers allegedly ran a business that purchased stolen catalytic converters from California for $38 million.
After their detainment, their mother, father and older brother continued with the business of purchasing stolen catalytic converters, the DOJ said.
What vehicles are most targeted for catalytic converter theft?
Two employees of a metal refinery and another person who brokered the transactions of the stolen catalytic converters are also accused in the scheme.
The DOJ said that the family members and others sold metal powders taken from the catalytic converters to employees at a metal refinery in New Jersey, who the DOJ said knew they were receiving stolen property.
The refinery employees allegedly paid over $621 million to the family that purchased the stolen catalytic converters.
The three additional defendants could face a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to $78 million, the DOJ said.
In October 2023, three members of a California family, two brothers and their mother, pleaded guilty to their role in the operation. The three pleaded guilty to conspiring to transport the devices for payments of more than $38 million, the DOJ said.
Why do people steal catalytic converters?
Catalytic converters are installed on vehicles to limit emissions, and thieves seek them because of the metals they contain, such as palladium, platinum and rhodium.
In black markets, some catalytic converters can be sold for more than $1,000 each, according to the DOJ.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
