Brothers From Nassau County Indicted In Catalytic Converter Scam: Prosecutors

MINEOLA, NY — A pair of brothers from Long Beach have been charged in an 81-count indictment for their involvement in a black market catalytic converter trafficking operation, prosecutors said.

Alan Pawelsky, 28, and Andrew Pawelsky, 25, were arraigned on Friday on a series of charges including: first-degree money laundering, second-degree criminal possession of stolen property and conspiracy.

They pleaded not guilty, and bail was set at $50,000 cash, $100,000 bond, and $500,000 partially secured bond. They are due back in court on June 1. If convicted of the top charge, they face up to 25 years in prison, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly announced.

The Pawelsky brothers allegedly purchased stolen catalytic converters from states as far away as California, according to the indictment.

The catalytic converters were opened to obtain the precious metals that could be sent to refineries for profit, Donnelly said.

"These defendants allegedly purchased truckloads of catalytic converters, many of them stolen from across the country, and siphoned them of precious metals that have seen skyrocketing value in recent years. The metals were allegedly sent to refineries and weighed, netting the defendants more than $170 million," Donnelly said. "Catalytic converter theft remains one of the fastest growing crimes across the country and here in Nassau County. "

Nassau County Police Department Commissioner Patrick J. Ryder: "With these arrests, the two defendants will proceed through the criminal justice system. Millions of dollars [were] hidden in homes at the expense of our residents as hundreds of Catalytic Converters were being stolen to promote their profit."