Zachary Marshall, aged 25, has pleaded guilty to participating in a theft crew that stole catalytic converters from over 490 cars in Massachusetts and New Hampshire through 2022 and 2023. The total losses equate to an estimated $2 million, according to Justice.gov.
Catalytic converters, hosting valuable precious metals, are increasingly targeted due to their high prices on the black market. When removed, the affected vehicle becomes unusable and illegal to operate under EPA regulations until it's replaced. Marshall's crew reportedly utilized battery-operated power tools and car jacks to execute their thefts. The number of stolen converters was substantial, with more than 10 vehicles often robbed in a single night. Leader of the crew, Rafael Davila, meticulously planned each theft and preserved records of the stolen converters, as per Justice.gov.
Once the converters were stolen, they were sold to Jose Torres, a collector of stolen converters from various theft crews. Torres allegedly then sold them to scrap dealers in the Northeast region. These transactions often involved between $30,000 to $80,000 worth of converters per week. Several of the scrap dealers, located in Connecticut, California, and Oklahoma, are now facing federal charges for interstate transportation of stolen property and money laundering, as mentioned by Justice.gov.
In an unrelated incident, Marshall and Rafael Davila stole a truck containing $13,000 worth of Milwaukee brand power tools from a self-storage facility. A subsequent high-speed police chase ensued following the burglary, reaching speeds of up to 120 mph. Some of the stolen tools were recovered during an investigation of a storage unit affiliated with Davila on April 12, 2023.
The remaining members of the crew––Torres, Alex Oyola, Nicolas Davila, and Santo Feliberty––have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing in late 2023 and early 2024. Charges against Rafael Davila and Carlos Fonseca continue to be upheld, and they are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Catalytic converter thefts affect communities on a national scale; 70 police departments from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Connecticut participated in the investigation.
