Minnesota Law Enforcement Helps Take Down Multi-Million Dollar Catalytic Converter Theft Ring

(KNSI) — The U.S. Department of Justice has arrested and charged 21 people in nine states, including Minnesota, connected to a more than half-billion dollar catalytic converter theft ring.

The DOJ says they worked with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners from across the country to execute a nationwide, coordinated takedown Wednesday of leaders and associates of a national network of thieves, dealers, and processors for their roles in conspiracies involving stolen catalytic converters sold to a metal refinery for millions, according to a press release.

According to court documents, stolen catalytic converters were bought from street thieves and shipped to an auto parts processor in New Jersey. The suspects in the New Jersey operation would take the stolen converters and, through a “de-canning” process, extracted the precious metal powders from the catalytic core and sold it to a metal refinery raking in over $545 million.

Arrests, searches, and seizures took place in California, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, and Virginia. The suspects are charged in two separate indictments. The press release says in addition to the indictments, over 32 search warrants were executed, and law enforcement seized millions of dollars in assets, including homes, bank accounts, cash, and luxury vehicles. In total, the street thieves netted over $100 million.

Catalytic converters use precious metals in their center, or “core,” and are regularly targeted for theft due to the high value of these metals. The black-market price for catalytic converters can be above $1,000 each. The theft of catalytic converters has become increasingly popular because of their value, relative ease of stealing, and lack of identifying markings.

The Homeland Security Investigations office in St. Paul and St. Paul Police, along with several Twin Cities police departments and the Minnesota Commerce Fraud Bureau, Anoka County and McLeod County Sheriff’s Offices, helped in the investigations.

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