TERRORISED SUSPICIOUS LOCAL BUSINESSES? >> OFFICIALS HERE IN WESTMORELAND COUNTY EXPECT MORE CHARGES IN THIS CASE. IT HAS IMPACTED THREE COUNTIES SO FAR. INVESTIGATORS THINK THIS IS A NATIONWIDE CRIME RING AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ARE AN EASY TARGET THAT CAN BRING A LOT OF PROFITS. >> DOZENS OF VEHICLES TARGETED FROM CAR DEALERSHIPS TO CONVENIENCE STORES AND EVEN CARS JUST PARKED ALONG THE STREET. WESTMORELAND COUNTY OFFICIALS SAY THESE THREE MEN FROM CHICAGO HAVE TRAVELED TO OUR AREA SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST MONTHS, STEALING CATALYTIC CONVERTERS IN THREE COUNTIES AND CAUSING MORE THAN $200,000 IN DAMAGE. >> THESE SUSPECTS TERRORISE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND BUSINESSES FOR MONTHS. >> INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE THE GROUP RECOVERED THE PARTS TO SELL OUT OF STATE. >> THEY ARE WORTH A LOT OF MONEY BECAUSE OF THE PRECIOUS METALS THEY CONTAIN. THERE ARE PLATIMUM DERIVATIVES IN IT. RODIUM AND IT HAS JUST A LOT OF VALUE AND IT’S EASY TO GET IN >> AND OUT. DUFFY FRIEDLANDER OWNS THE DANIELS AND MILLER RECYCLING CENTER IN GREENSBURG. HE SAYS CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ARE AN EASY TARGET, BUT RIGHT NOW HE AND MANY OTHER CENTERS IN THE AREA ARE REFUSING PEOPLE. >> WITH WHAT HAPPENED SINCE LAST YEAR AND THE YEAR AND A HALF US STOP BUYING THEM TOTALLY, IT’S NOT EVEN PART OF OUR BUSINESS PLAN ANYMORE. >> FRIEDLANDER SAYS STATE LAW IS STRICT ON HOW THESE PARTS CAN BE SOLD, BUT OFFICIALS SAY IT DOES NOT STOP THESE CRIMES AND IN THIS CASE THE INVESTIGATION HAS JUST BEEN BEGUN. >>THE BIGGEST PICTURE IS WE BELIEVE THERE IS LIKELY MORE AND WE WANT TO WANT TO BRING THAT INFORMATION AND. >> AT THE TIME THE SUSPECTS WERE ARRESTED, POLICE RECOVERED 17 STOLEN CATALYTIC CONVERTERS FROM A RENTAL VEHICLE. AS TO WHAT YOU CAN DO, POLICE SAID KEEP YOUR VEHICLE IN A SECURE PLACE IF YOU CAN BUT LIKE SOMETHING
Three people arrested in thefts of catalytic converters across the county
For some years, they have been known as easy targets. Thieves can get under a vehicle and shut off the catalytic converter in minutes. The metals in these parts are potentially worth money. Westmoreland County officials outlined the case against three Chicago men at a news conference on Tuesday. Investigators said the group had been targeting businesses across the region for months. Over $200,000 worth of catalytic converters were stolen in the area during this time. “These suspects have terrorized our neighborhoods and businesses in western Pennsylvania for months,” Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli said. Two Jim Shorkey dealerships – one near Uniontown, the other in North Huntingdon Township – are among dozens of targets. Harold Wade, Antonio Johnson and Christian Buie are now in Westmoreland County Jail. Investigators said Tuesday that the group would be part of a national criminal organization and that further charges should be filed. Police said they were able to follow a rented vehicle, eventually learning the group was staying at an Airbnb on the north side of Pittsburgh. Police say one of the suspects admitted renting a storage unit for the stolen items and 17 stolen catalytic converters were found inside a vehicle. as Moon Township. According to court documents, police believe there are more people involved and more charges could be laid.
For some years, they have been known as easy targets.
Thieves can get under a vehicle and shut off the catalytic converter in minutes. The metals in these coins are potentially worth money.
Westmoreland County officials outlined the case against three Chicago men at a news conference on Tuesday. Investigators said the group had been targeting businesses across the region for months. Over $200,000 worth of catalytic converters were stolen in the area during this time.
“These suspects have terrorized our neighborhoods and businesses in western Pennsylvania for months,” Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli said.
Two Jim Shorkey dealerships – one near Uniontown, the other in North Huntingdon Township – are among dozens of targets.
Harold Wade, Antonio Johnson and Christian Buie are now in Westmoreland County Jail. Investigators said Tuesday that the group would be part of a national criminal organization and that further charges should be filed.
Police said they were able to follow a rented vehicle, eventually learning the group was staying at an Airbnb on the north side of Pittsburgh.
Police say one of the suspects admitted renting a storage unit for the stolen items and 17 stolen catalytic converters were found inside a vehicle.
Police said the group targeted communities in Westmoreland and Fayette counties, on the North Side of Pittsburgh and even as far away as Moon Township. According to court documents, police believe there are more people involved and more charges could be laid.
Comments are closed.