Connecticut Man Pleads Guilty to Role in Catalytic Converter Theft Ring

The U.S. Attorney for Connecticut reports that a New Britain man has pleaded guilty to participating in a stolen catalytic converter trafficking ring.

Roberto Alicea pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and one count of interstate transportation of stolen property, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years, according to U.S. Attorney Vanessa Roberts Avery.

Alicea is one of five men who were charged last August with offenses related to stolen catalytic converters. He has been detained since his arrest on August 23, 2022. Sentencing has been scheduled for September.

According to officials, their investigation revealed that Downpipe Depot & Recycling LLC, which had a warehouse on Park Avenue in East Hartford, purchased stolen catalytic converters from a network of thieves, including Alicea, and then transported and sold the catalytic converters to recycling businesses in New York and New Jersey.

Business records seized during the investigation revealed that, between December 2021 and May 2022, Downpipe Depot paid Alicea approximately $540,000 for catalytic converters.

According to court documents, law enforcement has been investigating the theft of catalytic converters from motor vehicles across Connecticut. 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.

Related: