Feds Bust Theft Ring That Allegedly Stole Some $2 Million In Catalytic Converters

A theft ring that orchestrated the theft of some $2 million worth of catalytic converters and more is off the streets today. Federal authorities allege that the group stole the valuable part from at least 471 vehicles across New Hampshire and Massachusetts between 2022 and 2023.

Authorities say that the group often stole catalytic converters so quickly that they could accomplish the complete task in less than a minute and that on at least one night they believe the crew took a total of 26. Police connected the crew with the thefts during its “Operation Cut and Run”.

Those indicted are Rafael “Robin Hood” Davila, 35, of Feeding Hills, Jose “Goldy” Torres, 37, of Springfield, Nicolas Davila, 25, of Springfield, Jose “Charlito” Fonseca, 26, of Springfield, Zachary Marshall, 26, of Holyoke, Santo Feliberty, 34, of Springfield, and Alexander “Dirty” Oyola, 37, of Springfield.

More: 153,000 Catalytic Converters Stolen In 2022

All seven are charged with conspiracy to commit bank theft, conspiracy to transport stolen property in interstate commerce, interstate transportation of stolen property, bank theft, and money laundering conspiracy.

According to investigators, Davila led the crew while Torres would accumulate the stolen goods and sell them to scrap dealers in New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Davila allegedly kept notes on where the crew had been working and what type of vehicles they’d hit recently. Torres evidently brought in anywhere from $30,000-$80,000 weekly as a result of the illegal business.

“The members of this criminal network arrested today, under the cloak of darkness, traveled throughout our state cutting valuable catalytic converters from vehicles owned by unsuspecting citizens and businesses.

“Their criminal acts violated the security and rights of vehicle owners, necessitated costly repairs, and interfered with commercial operations of business owners and the daily lives of numerous victims,” State Police Interim Colonel John Mawn Jr. said to newbedfordguide.com. “The actions of these defendants are an affront to law-abiding citizens everywhere.”

Notably, at least some of those scrap dealers have also been charged with interstate transportation of stolen property and money laundering.

On top of all this, Davila, Feliberty, and Oyola evidently conspired to steal money from ATMs on at least three different occasions. They’re also implicated in the burglary of two different jewelry stores. All of the suspects will appear on court on Wednesday afternoon in Boston.

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