WeHa, New Haven Men Charged In Catalytic Converter Theft Ring: Feds

WEST HARTFORD/NEW HAVEN, CT — Four men, including one West Hartford resident, are facing federal charges in connection with a catalytic converter theft ring, U.S. officials announced Wednesday.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Yanquee Rodriguez, 27, of West Hartford, who also goes by the nickname "Yankster Rodriguez," was one of four men indicted in U.S. District Court in New Haven on Nov. 14.

Wednesday's announcement was made in a joint statement by Vanessa Roberts Avery, U.S. Attorney for Connecticut; James Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division; and Harry T. Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation in New England,

Also charged were Alexander Kolitsas, 29, of Wolcott; Mervin Figueroa, 26, of New Haven; and Michael Almodovar aka "Eme ElColorado," 30, of New Haven.

Kolitsas and four other men were originally charged by indictment in August 2022, officials said.\

As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement continues to investigate the theft of catalytic converters from motor vehicles across Connecticut.

Authorities said 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.

"The average scrap price for catalytic converters currently varies between $300 and $1,500, depending on the model and type of precious metal component," wrote the U.S. Justice Department in a release Wednesday.
Authorities allege that Kolitsas owned and operated Downpipe Depot & Recycling LLC (“Downpipe Depot”), which had a warehouse on Park Avenue in East Hartford.

At Downpipe Depot, Kolitsas and a co-conspirator purchased stolen catalytic converters from a network of suppliers, including Rodriguez, Figuero, and Almodovar, officials said.

Kolitsas and his associate instructed suppliers on the types of catalytic converters that would obtain the most profit upon resale, authorities said.

According to authorities, Kolitsas and his associate then transported and sold the catalytic converters to recycling businesses in New York and New Jersey.

Federal officials also allege Kolitsas and his associate acquired and maintained firearms at Kolitsas’s residence and Downpipe Depot’s warehouse.

As a result, officials charged Kolitsas, Rodriguez, Figueroa, and Almodovar with one count of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.

In addition, the quartet is charged with one or more counts of interstate transportation of stolen property, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

Federal officials said Kolitsas also faces added charges, including:

• One count of promotional money laundering, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, for using proceeds from the theft and sale of catalytic converters to purchase a Ford Transit Van.

Two counts of engaging in monetary transactions with proceeds of specified unlawful activity, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years on each count.

• One count of possession of firearms by an unlawful drug user or addict, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.

Authorities are seeking the forfeiture from Kolitsas of the Ford Transit Van, a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado, a 2016 Polaris Slingshot, a 2022 Toyota Supra, approximately $55,000 in cash, and $92,581 held in a Downpipe Depot bank account.

Rodriguez and Figueroa were arrested Nov. 15 and Almodovar surrendered to law enforcement Tuesday.

Officials said Almodovar was in the process of stealing a catalytic converter from a car parked in a parking lot, he was interrupted by a witness, who used his cellphone to take pictures of Almodovar.

According to authorities, Almodovar attacked the witness, smashed his car window, cut him with the saw he used to steal the converter, and then fled.

As alleged in the indictment, the day after this incident, Almodovar sold six converters to Downpipe Depot in exchange for $2,180, officials said.

Each of the four defendants entered pleas of not guilty and are released on bond pending trial.

For the full announcement, click on this link.