Fifth Member of Catalytic Converter Theft Crew Pleads Responsible

A Springfield, Massachusetts man pleaded responsible Tuesday in federal court docket in Boston to his position in a regional organized theft crew that officers say stole catalytic converters from greater than 490 autos in addition to from financial institution computerized teller machines and jewellery shops.

Zachary Marshall pleaded responsible to conspiracy to move stolen property in interstate commerce and interstate transportation of stolen property, U.S. Legal professional Joshua S. Levy reported. U.S. District Court docket Choose Leo T. Sorokin scheduled sentencing for Feb. 7, 2024.

Marshall and 6 different males had been arrested on April 12, 2023, and charged with offenses associated to the theft, transportation and sale of stolen catalytic converters taken from over 490 autos throughout 2022 and 2023.

Catalytic converter theft turned a nationwide problem throughout a large number of state, native, and federal jurisdictions as a result of high-valued valuable metals they include. As metallic costs have dropped, thefts have also declined.

For Arrested Ringleader, Stealing Catalytic Converters Is Full-Time Job, Police Say

Marshall was a member of an organized crew that allegedly stole catalytic converters from not less than 492 autos throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire in 2022 and 2023 alone. Marshall participated in thefts of catalytic converters from 107 autos over the course of 10 separate situations between Jan. 19, 2023 and April 6, 2023 – most of which focused autos in a couple of municipality over the course of a single night time.

Officers imagine {that a} important variety of extra thefts haven’t been recognized or weren’t ever reported to legislation enforcement.

New Massachusetts Law Aims to Thwart Catalytic Converter Thieves

Regulation enforcement officers allege that the crew was led by Rafael Davila, who they allege was liable for the planning and transportation round every focused theft.

Marshall additionally admitted to breaking into to a self-storage facility in Northborough, Massachusetts on February 2, 2023, and stole objects from storage models, and a truck containing roughly $13,000 price of energy instruments.

4 different males have pleaded responsible within the catalytic converter thefts. Expenses towards Davila and one other suspect stay pending and they’re presumed harmless till confirmed responsible.

Greater than 70 native police departments in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut contributed to the investigation via the submission of their investigations of catalytic converter thefts of their jurisdiction.

Subjects
Fraud
Massachusetts