Catalytic Converter Theft Crew Stole $2M Worth Of Parts In MA, NH: DOJ

BOSTON, MA — Seven members of a regional theft and burglary crew accused of stealing hundreds of catalytic converters across Massachusetts and New Hampshire were arrested Wednesday, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for Massachusetts.

The arrests were made by FBI Boston's Organized Crime Task Force and Massachusetts State Police.

The seven accused, who police said stole more than 470 car parts worth at least $2 million in the two states over the past two years, were arrested on Wednesday morning. Some of the accused thieves also targeted automatic teller machines and jewelry stores, according to officials.

The suspects in the case have been identified as:

• Rafael Davila, AKA “Robin Hood,” 35, of Feeding Hills, MA
• Jose Torres, AKA “Goldy,” a/k/a “Goldy Tech,” 37, of Springfield, MA
• Nicolas Davila, 25, of Springfield, MA
• Jose Fonseca, AKA “Charlito,” 26, of Springfield, MA
• Zachary Marshall, 26, of Holyoke, MA
• Santo Feliberty, 34, of Springfield, MA
• Alexander Oyola, a/k/a “Dirty,” 37, of Springfield, MA

The accused have been charged with conspiracy to transport stolen property in interstate commerce, interstate transportation of stolen property, conspiracy to commit bank theft, bank theft, and money laundering conspiracy.

Officials said the crew would steal the catalytic converters and then sell them to Torres, who would sell them to scrap dealers in the Northeast.

The defendants will make an initial appearance in federal court in Boston at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Catalytic converters, which sit exposed underneath most cars, are a device used to reduce the amount of pollution coming out of the tailpipe by converting toxic gasses.

The incidence of catalytic converter theft has skyrocketed across the country in recent years. One of the reasons for this is the high prices of palladium, and rhodium, precious metals found in the auto parts, according to Way.com.

NBC News reported that these thefts have exploded since the pandemic began, fueled by a surge in the value of those metals.

Thieves stole 12 times as many catalytic converters in 2021 as they did in 2019, according to data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau.