Guilty Plea For Hartford Man Dealing Stolen Catalytic Converters: Feds

HARTFORD, CT — A Hartford man has pleaded guilty for a firearms offense, as well as his role in a stolen catalytic converter ring after being arrested in Vernon, federal officials said Thursday.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, U.S. Attorney for Connecticut, said Theodore Roosevelt Owens, 22, of Hartford, pleaded guilty Thursday before U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to offenses related to his possession of a stolen firearm and his role in a catalytic converter theft ring.

Owens pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a stolen firearm, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, and one count of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

A sentencing date is not scheduled and Owens has been detained since his arrest.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on Oct. 21, 2021, Vernon Police arrested Owens in a hotel parking lot on outstanding warrants.

An investigation revealed that, shortly before his arrest, Owens possessed a loaded Zigana, Model PX-9 G2, 9 mm pistol, which he had cause to believe was stolen, and approximately 5 grams of crack cocaine, Avery said.

The firearm was part of a shipment of 50 Zigana PX-9G2 pistols that was stolen from an R&L Carriers warehouse in South Windsor in August 2021, according to authorities.

The investigation further revealed Owens conspired with others in the theft and sale of catalytic converters, according to Avery.

Between Sept. 24 and Oct. 17, 2021, Owens sold a co-conspirator $26,320 worth of catalytic converters, including converters that Owens knew were stolen, she said.

Owens’ co-conspirator transported the converters to other businesses, including businesses in New York and New Jersey, for further resale and profit, according to authorities.