2021 Vernon Gun, Catalytic Converter Arrest Leads To 3-Year Sentence

VERNON, CT — A theft case involving a stolen gun and catalytic converters and an arrest at a Vernon motel has concluded with a three-plus-year sentence in federal court.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States attorney for the District of Connecticut, said that Theodore Roosevelt Owens, 22, of Hartford, was sentenced Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Omar A. Williams in Hartford to 37 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for offenses related to his possession of a stolen firearm and his role in a catalytic converter theft ring.

According to court documents and statements made in court, on Oct. 21, 2021, Vernon police arrested Owens in the parking lot of the then-Motel 6 on outstanding warrants. An investigation revealed that, shortly before his arrest, Owens possessed a loaded and stolen Zigana, Model PX-9 G2, 9mm pistol and approximately 5 grams of crack cocaine, according to case records.

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

The investigation further revealed that Owens had conspired with others in the theft and sale of catalytic converters, Avery said. Between Sept. 24 and Oct. 17, 2021, Owens sold a co-conspirator $26,320 worth of catalytic converters, including some Owens knew were stolen, according to case records. Owens’ co-conspirator transported the converters to other businesses, including businesses in New York and New Jersey, for further resale and profit, Avery said.

Owens has been detained since his arrest. On Feb. 9, he entered a guilty plead to a single count of unlawful possession of a stolen firearm and one count of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property.