Feds bust nationwide catalytic converter theft ring

EDIE: A SACRAMENTO AUTO SHOP IS UNDER AN INDICTMENT ACCUSED OF , SELLING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF STOLEN CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ACROSS STATE LINES. THE AUTO SHOP, PART OF A NETWORK OF THIEVES AND DEALERS, ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, ACCORDING TO FEDERAL AUTHORITIES. KCRA 3 INVESTIGATES BRITTANY JOHNSON HAS DETAILS ON THE INVESTIGATION. REPORTER: OVER $38 MILLION. THAT’S HOW MUCH MONEY FEDERAL AUTHORITIES SAY VANG AUTO MADE OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, SELLING AND SHIPPING STOLEN CATALYTIC CONVERTER PARTS, FROM HERE IN SACRAMENTO, TO NEW JERSEY. THIS 40-COUNT INDICTMENT LAYS OUT THE ENTIRE OPERATION. ACCORDING TO COURT DOCUMENTS, THE OWNERS OF VANG AUTO, WERE RUNNING THE BUSINESS, ON A SUSPENDED LICENSE, FROM THEIR PERSONAL RESIDENCE IN SACRAMENTO. AUTHORITIES SAY THE OWNERS AND THEIR EMPLOYEES, PURCHASED STOLEN CATALYTIC CONVERTERS FROM LOCAL THIEVES AND SOLD AND SHIPPED THEM TO DG AUTO PARTS IN NEW JERSEY. THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE SAYS, DG AUTO THEN EXTRACTED PRECIOUS METAL POWDERS FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS, SELLING THEM TO A METAL REFINERY FOR OVER $545 MILLION. THE U.S. ATTORNEY FOR CALIFORNIA’S EASTERN DISTRICT INDICTED 9 PEOPLE, OWNERS AND EMPLOYEES OF VANG AUTO. THE U.S. ATTORNEY SAYS CALIFORNIA HAS BECOME A HOT BED FOR CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFTS. THAT’S BECAUSE OUR STATE REQUIRES A HIGHER EMISSION STANDARD, AND OUR CATALYTIC CONVERTERS CONTAIN A HIGHER CONCENTRATION OF PRECIOUS METALS. A KCRA 3 INVESTIGATION WE DID LAST YEAR REVEALED THE RISE IN REPORTED THEFTS. FOR MORE ON THAT INVESTIGATION ON FOR MORE ON TODAY’S NATIONWIDE TAKEDOWN OF CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFT RINGS, GO TO OUR WEBSITE KCRA.COM. BRITTANY JOHNSON, KCRA 3 INVESTIGATES. EDIE: CATALYTIC CONVERTERS REDUCE THE TOXIC GAS POLLUTANTS FROM THE ENGINE. FOR THAT TO HAPPEN, THERE’S A LOT OF PRECIOUS METALS, INCLUDING, PALLADIUM, PLATINUM AND RHODIUM, COMPACTED INSIDE. SOME OF THOSE METALS ARE MORE VALUABLE PER OUNCE THAN GOLD. GULSTAN: THE CALIFORNI

Feds bust nationwide catalytic converter theft ring, seeking $545 million in forfeitures

The criminal network made tens of millions of dollars selling stolen catalytic converters, and now 21 people in five states have been arrested.

Updated: 3:18 PM EDT Nov 3, 2022

If you’re one of the people who recently had their catalytic converter ripped out and stolen from underneath their car, the feds might have just busted the criminals who did it.The U.S. Department of Justice on Wednesday said it busted a nationwide crime network responsible for stealing countless catalytic converters. What’s a catalytic converter? It’s essentially an anti-pollution device that’s part of a vehicle’s exhaust system, and it contains precious metals that can be sold for a lot of money. If you’re wondering how much money, the FBI said the network of thieves, dealers, and processors made tens of millions of dollars off the stolen parts.Related video above: Catalytic converter thefts becoming increasingly commonAs part of the takedown that involved law enforcement officers at the local, state, and federal levels, 21 people in five states have been arrested and charged in two separate indictments. Federal grand juries in California and Oklahoma have filed separate charges for conspiracy to transport stolen catalytic converters and conspiracy to commit money laundering, among other similar chargers.In total, the U.S. government is seeking over $545 million in forfeitures.

If you’re one of the people who recently had their catalytic converter ripped out and stolen from underneath their car, the feds might have just busted the criminals who did it.

The U.S. Department of Justice on Wednesday said it busted a nationwide crime network responsible for stealing countless catalytic converters.

What’s a catalytic converter? It’s essentially an anti-pollution device that’s part of a vehicle’s exhaust system, and it contains precious metals that can be sold for a lot of money. If you’re wondering how much money, the FBI said the network of thieves, dealers, and processors made tens of millions of dollars off the stolen parts.

Related video above: Catalytic converter thefts becoming increasingly common

As part of the takedown that involved law enforcement officers at the local, state, and federal levels, 21 people in five states have been arrested and charged in two separate indictments.

Federal grand juries in California and Oklahoma have filed separate charges for conspiracy to transport stolen catalytic converters and conspiracy to commit money laundering, among other similar chargers.

In total, the U.S. government is seeking over $545 million in forfeitures.