WeHa Man Sent To Prison For Stealing Catalytic Converters: Feds

WEST HARTFORD, CT — A 28-year-0ld West Hartford man was sent to federal prison Thursday for his role in a catalytic converter theft ring.

Marc H. Silverman, acting U.S. attorney for Connecticut, said Yanquee Rodriguez, 28, aka “Yankster Rodriguez,” of West Hartford, was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District District Court in Hartford to 15 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release.

The sentence was for Rodriguez's role in a catalytic converter theft conspiracy.

According to court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement has been investigating the theft of catalytic converters from motor vehicles across Connecticut.

A catalytic converter contains precious metals, can easily be removed from its vehicle, and is difficult to trace, making it a desirable target for thieves.

Silverman said the average scrap price for catalytic converters currently varies between $300 and $1,500, depending on the model and type of precious metal component.

He said the investigation revealed Alexander Kolitsas owned and operated Downpipe Depot & Recycling LLC, which had a warehouse on Park Avenue in East Hartford.

Kolitsas and Downpipe Depot purchased stolen catalytic converters from a network of thieves, including Rodriguez, and then transported and sold the catalytic converters to recycling businesses in New York and New Jersey, Silverman said.

Kolitsas instructed his suppliers on the types of converters that would obtain the most profit upon resale, and he would often meet with them and transact business at his home in Wolcott late at night or behind a family member’s restaurant in Middlebury after hours, authorities said.

Business records seized during the investigation revealed Rodriguez was one of Downpipe Depot’s largest suppliers of stolen catalytic converters, according to Silverman.

For example, federal officials said, that between January 2021 and May 2022, Downpipe Depot paid Rodriguez $411,845 for catalytic converters.

Kolitsas paid Rodriguez and his other catalytic converter suppliers a total of more than $3.3 million during that time, officials said.

Rodriguez was arrested on Nov. 15, 2023.

On June 26, 2024, he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property and one count of interstate transportation of stolen property.

Rodriguez, who is released on a $100,000 bond, is required to report to prison May 19.

Kolitsas pleaded guilty to related charges and awaits sentencing.

For the full announcement, click on this link.