Californians plead guilty in $600 million catalytic converter theft scheme

Three members of a California family pleaded guilty Monday to conspiracy for their role in a ring that shipped $600 million worth of stolen catalytic converters from California to New Jersey, federal prosecutors said. abc7.com/catal...

[@clo6483]

Charge any business who buys these converters as well.

[@aboliafaleti]

That is what they do inTexas😃😁😀🤛😼😼

[@TheSarah730]

💯

[@SteveSabbai]

No matter what they say, those businesses knew they were buying stolen goods.

[@wiifii5.071]

Or stop the public sale of cats bought from dealer or jail time!

[@augustusgrt9655]

​@@aboliafaleti most of these were sold in Texas

[@hillbomb808]

up to 9?! 1 isn’t enough like it can just fall into your lap? such a joke

[@GMan-cv9ig]

I though the same thing. 9 ridiculous. Ridiculous just like Chrischunky hating on California. But haters gonna hate

[@fenix2195]

just gives them enough wiggle room to hit up 8 at a time.

[@GMan-cv9ig]

@@fenix2195 hahaha you dick

[@dianevrules]

Those scum will steal up to 8 before they sell them. They will make sure they dont get caught with more than 8. I wonder why bs Gavin Newsom didnt just make it 2 or more??? WTF is wrong with these bs politicians??? @@fenix2195

[@memine1311]

I know - what if the cops catch them early in their day of crime and they only have 7 or 8? It's like the retail theft law allowing them to take up to $950. California is always the joke.

[@oryanstar1010]

When they're caught with 9 or more. Okay, so people are gonna start stealing 8 packs.

[@smoothoperator1083]

Exactly!! 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@tl1533]

Why 9 or more! Wouldn't be stealing is more than enough!

[@rollingcan]

It is amazing how people can steal more than half a billion dollar worth of catalytic converter before getting caught.

[@selectiveapathy]

Look at how much money trump stole from investors 😮

[@danielbrown7535]

​@@selectiveapathy Give him another 4byears he could match Pelosi...naaa, nobody can invest like polosi.

[@lHurtYourFeeIings]

@@selectiveapathy $0. If he stole from investors he'd be in jail by now. Where are the lawsuits? Idiot.

[@f430ferrari5]

@@selectiveapathyalways deflection. TDS. 😂🤣

[@Tylnorton]

@@selectiveapathy Look at the billions Biden stole and sent to Ukraine, and now soon it will be Israel.

[@smoothoperator1083]

That's it ,I'm quitting my job! A ticket and $1k fine. Life is waaayyyyyyyyy easier as a criminal than a normal tax paying citizen right now! 👍

[@ORO323]

Right!? Working hard and living an honest/law abiding life is for chumps! Criminals just get a slap on the wrist and then get released early.

[@Comeswoopfam]

Facts I’m going to start stealing groceries under $900 😂

[@sumgi1537]

and you gotta wait til they shoot you first if u confront them or u will go to jail smh

[@96figuroso]

Remember UP TO 1k

[@audenharper3014]

if it's 1k per converter that's fair, alot of criminals don't pay financially for their crimes, if you get caught with 10 converters and they fine you 10k dollars, i think that's fair.

[@FractalPrism.]

"any reason you have Eight catalyic converters that are clearly stolen, next to your skillzaw?" "because it would be illegal if i had Nine" "carry on citizen, have a good day"

[@Junp]

I feel like it doesn't make sense that it costs me more to replace my stolen catalytic converter compared to the fine for criminal for stealing one... o_O

[@petrolo72]

It makes sense if you live under leftist authoritarian politicians like we do here in the Socialist Republic of California. 👍🏼

[@mperez5920]

EXACTLY.

[@DanielEscamillaPueblo]

Damn. Good point.

[@soul2soul429]

"You have to understand that is a Big, Big business with a high 💰 revenue, they are all connected, firstly The Government, Law enforcement, Repair Shops, Recycling Centers, Thieves, it's a Big Mafia and they are all ( CONNECTED) "it's exactly like PHARMA and Drug trafficking, it's a Big mess 💩💩💩💩💩💩

[@marklittler784]

Mathematics not politicians strong point😅

[@rum-ham]

Organized ring of thieves? $600 million?! Bring RICO charges. Give them 20 years.

[@LeeeroyJenkins]

The fine is $1,000 dollars and just ONE costs $3,500 to replace. This isn't crime prevention. This is just the governement taxing theives.

[@bigfishy7816]

😆 not in Gavin Newscum’s California… Out on no bail and doing it as this airs 👍👍👍

[@samhavoc1066]

@@LeeeroyJenkins Yep.

[@nealxl6256]

Misdemeanor? That’s BS. If they make it a felony with a mandatory minimum of five years, I bet the thefts would decrease significantly

[@maylani3697]

Don’t forget that you have to be caught with 9 or more converters. Keep it at 8 and it’s all good. 🙄

[@anonymousduplicity9447]

@ralphferley2602nah, everyone wants some of the pie. The pie is money

[@rellysunshine9665]

Show their mugshots like you do to everyone else!

[@raykane2063]

Can't show the Asian Families faces because they are the model Citizens

[@JoseSanchez-sd7ct]

@@raykane2063they’re just not usual suspects

[@airtioteclint]

​@@raykane2063I'd rather they be my neighbor than the burnt people. You would too.

[@hansschwartz1480]

How do you know they are Asian? Most catalytic converter thieves in California seem to be Hispanic.guess they’re stealing it, selling it to the Asian crime group and getting a percentage in the cut? @@raykane2063

[@hansschwartz1480]

Asians commit less crime than whites so statistically you’re safer with them. Look at Asian countries and compare them to BLK countries, lol!@@airtioteclint

[@trdjody]

I see why crimes are becoming the new “jobs available” in California 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@londonbe240]

What else could happen when your 1 bedroom rent is $3000 lol

[@anonymousduplicity9447]

@@londonbe240facts

[@AnthonyDoesYouTube]

And all they get is a $1k fine and a misdemeanor 😂😂😂

[@RG-wd6qs]

Misdemeanor crime and up to $1000 fine, but it will cost you up to $3,500 to replace it! Somehow the consequences of the crime doesn't = JUSTICE!!!

[@Novastar.SaberCombat]

Justice is an illusion.

[@davinxi5926]

It should be first time? Not the 9th time??? Who authored this rule

[@pharoah1200]

Your trusted politicians 😆

[@bobjones1636]

Shows how lame our states law enforcement is. This went on for SEVERAL years.

[@captainfunkyfish1]

They'll be out on bail in time to watch themselves mentioned in this story

[@AnothrGtrPlyr]

No question we need harsher penalties for the thieves, but let’s also remember why these CA bills got watered down before getting signed. 1. Car dealers and manufacturers opposed having to tag catalytic converters with VIN numbers, which is what the police need to trace them back to a vehicle & police report. Without that, they have no way of proving the converter didn’t come from a junkyard. 2. 9 converters was settled on because junkyards, recyclers and other legitimate sources will often have large quantities of converters, and they pushed back on the original bill which noted “more than 3.” And I could go on. I’m no fan of Newsome or much of my state’s legislature, but they don’t own all of this bulls**it, automotive industry lobbyists own much of it.

[@Rtb323]

Get a gun. California is only gonna keep bailing out criminals…

[@BassedInVegas]

This new law seriously impacts my work schedule but I think I see a workaround. Steal 8 catalytic converters then sell them. Steal 8 catalytic converters then sell them. Steal 8 catalytic converters then sell them.

[@dianevrules]

OMDG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thats all tf they will do. I cant believe this new bs law!!!!!!!!!

[@greggreg2263]

Damn, that’s a lot of money. They must’ve had quite a bit of cash 💰 on hand these three.

[@DeeSnutts]

Criminals can now just carry 1 under the limit to avoid getting fined… but $1,000 fine isn’t much anyway

[@pharoah1200]

Yeah, up to 8 and you're good 👍👍

[@mitchcarter442]

Wow, 600 million? The state should be held responsible as well for allowing so many thefts to happen under their jurisdiction and watch.

[@drumtwo4seven]

WELL PUT AGREED 100%

[@stuwest3653]

It's a national number and the state should have regulated the recyclers.

[@IntegraDIY]

They should have just passed a law banning people from buying them, and if caught buying, selling of stealing, it’s automatic prison time

[@decegrease]

@@IntegraDIY yeah so that's really stupid, not everyone buying a 'used' converter would have any idea where it came from. that's why when they find drugs in the mail, they don't go for who they're sent to, they find who it came from

[@IntegraDIY]

@@decegrease buying as in recyclers. They know it’s stolen straight up, but they buy them anyways for the valuable palladium, platinum and rhodium metals. If the thieves can’t sell them, it’s no money to be made = no more theft. But law enforcement refuses to crack down on those shady businesses. if its a private party sale, and someone buys a crusty old used catalytic converter, without the thought it might be stolen, that person is a slow af.

[@WaldoGotchubent]

Wow 9 or more is a crime now that’s crazy watch out!’n

[@jaijoai4327]

They cut the catalytic converter from my Honda accord. I had to pay $$$$ out of pocket to install a new compatible one … CA’s government needs to be more aggressive about putting an end to this

[@Thunderbyrd.]

Put them in prison, they definitely don't need to be among innocent people.

[@elmono3939]

They have 2 of my converters. Cost me $7,100.00 to replace - and to complete the injustice - the dealer charged me $800.00 extra because I didn't have core cat converters to exchange for new ones at the time of purchase. Showed him Police Report of the theft. He didn't care. Go figure...

[@coldfinger459sub0]

Since the cost of mini Cadillac converters start approaching $2000 and then after the labor to put it on and sometimes even the repair of damage to the vehicle of the thief, wouldn’t that put the theft well over 2000 $3000 should be considered a felony, and not a minor crime Let’s start processing these criminals as felons.

[@Rtb323]

Pfff I payed 3K for my cats are u fn kidding me !!! And these clowns bail is cheaper due to the clowns in office..

[@riddledtomcat1360]

Should be life in jail. This crime ruins the lives of soooo many people. Leaving people stranded and without freedom.

[@Kolorboyux1wb]

WORTHLESS LEGISLATION!

[@LouKiss]

Have 8 on you? Zero bail zero jail.

[@JPREEDY77]

Wait, you can't take your car apart without a permit? WTF

[@robertanavarette7424]

Cost and installion over$1000 that's a slap on the hand. That should be a felony.I guess criminals will continue being criminals they know they'll only get a slap on the hand.

[@lchiu003]

The governor is an idiot. 9 or more catalytic converters first before they can go after them for a misdemeanor charge? And who thinks they will actual pay the $1000 fine per stolen item? His weak stance on crime is why the state is falling apart.

[@Megatron-sl5us]

Life is tough especially if you're a criminal living in America.

[@marklittler784]

Especially in California you can actually get caught now and then 😅🤸😂🤸😂

[@patrickw8302]

Sounds like Newsome really put the hammer down. 😂

[@LOVEFREEDOM-m6b]

My child's car's catalytic converter was recently stolen though the insurance company paid the majority but we still need to pay $500 plus some other fees ourselves. Those thieves must be charged heavily.

[@tommontague5721]

Newsom....still a joke

[@Ken-jw4xk]

So they'll just steal 8 per night instead of 9, so stupid.

[@psgsurferm8202]

As Rollingcan says....how and why did it get in the millions before they got caught? The story of Icarus alive and well- --- Californians pay so much already the least they can get is safety and service. The money never matches the product.

[@dangonzalez4335]

I wonder how long they will have to do on probation cuz you know they aren’t going to prison for that

[@johanvedo3482]

So if 9 is when the law gets serious, then I will just steal 8 moving forward. See how that works.

[@srfin24]

so I can steal 8 and be millionaire

[@Kamala_sux]

Wow you have to be caught with more than 9 converters in order to be prosecuted...

[@elco-sn2pq]

Thanks Newsom This is a brilliant idea. You’re really putting a stop to this.

[@pharoah1200]

Well, you get a grace of up to 8 on the house.

[@augustusgrt9655]

Newsom isn't the prosecutor you dumb truck

[@pplobsrvr]

life in jail, the most cringe thing people have been having to deal with, people saw this as a way to make money and started abusing it like an exploit in a video game.

[@BradThePitts]

I look forward to Gavin Newsom's rebate on my $600 catalytic converter anti-theft shield.

[@HeronPoint2021]

37% of cat. thefts in the USA are out of Calif.??WTF??

[@mom4life513]

Thanks Newson for doing nothing at all. What a joke.

[@IsaacSpurlock]

Busted because those in charge wanted a cut. How long did they let it go on to get that high?

[@Ace1000ks19751982]

Throw him in prison for 30 years, and deport him to Vietnam.

[@optimusprinceps3526]

Incarceration then deportation

[@oscarguardado9436]

Our legislators are a joke in this state.

[@drewbryant5171]

Wow crime truly does pay

[@environmentalnews6040]

I didn't commit a crime, but somehow I'm being implicated.

[@jedelen3rd]

Gavin has the softest baked buns in the country

[@lineset7765]

Wish they'd get rid of Newsom!

[@MistSoalar]

$600M family business

[@pandacub6164]

Yes you can steal 9 converters until cops can charge you, this is just like the 950$ limit on stolen goods. They have not learned at all

[@tpp4007]

9 or more? No one should even have two! Maybe one from the junk yard to replace their cars, but 9? 🤦‍♂️

[@richs3777]

Make these theives pay for our insurance increases

[@dfinma]

0:38 Wait a minute -- 9 cats is a problem but it's ok to steal 8? And it's misdemeanor? Each one can be $2000. What the actual fu(k?

[@whatitsliketoburn]

Ah okay, so make sure you steal only 8 cats then sell them off because if you get caught with 9 or more, you'll be taken to jail. 8 is the limit!

[@Strongmindstv8]

This is happening In Detroit, Mi.

[@mitchcarter442]

And in nyc, Florida,Chicago and Baltimore

[@anderander5662]

Why couldn't they have caught them after they stole... let's say ten million in converters??

[@kisnhug6694]

Why 9? I have questions!!!😂😂😂

[@UnstoppableYaris]

Give them 1 year each for each vehicle damaged.

[@jasonbell5905]

They got away with it, they will pay a fine and walk away with the rest of the money. They should really get no deal just mandatory 30 years in prison, Justice system is out of control.

[@aanntthhoonnyy]

I travel with 8 cut converters everyday anyway. What a bunch of bullshit.

[@A_corofcb]

um, excuse me what!!! nine? why do I even bother working and being a tax-paying citizen? I could have been part of a half a billion dollar operation

[@tokyoexpresswayjapan8105]

New law should be, do time in prison, then deport after. Or airdrop them in the middle east. Lets see if the crime drops.

[@samhavoc1066]

Nine catalytic converters in your possession and its a misdemeanor?! What a joke. No wonder crime is out of control.

[@fasthandsz]

Hahaha so if you have 8 stolen converters in your car, you’re good 😂

[@philpugliese7049]

A catalytic converter made out of precious metal, gosh would a cheaper metal solve this problem?

[@matw1x]

9 or more? How about one?

[@marklittler784]

If someone's after your cat send your dog after them, a car alarm that automatically springs your front door open and lets the dog out would be good.

[@kentcrawford7080]

Hey I want my catalytic converter back😅

[@mile1920]

yeah,newsome really has those guys scared

[@AM-qu6vu]

That’s a whole lotta guacamole

[@TheFDem]

Just remember to keep 8 or less in your car on your night of scissor jacks and sawzalls

[@Nancy-tr5fi]

Are these the people who constantly steals these things in the mount Washington, Pasadena area? GOING ON FOR MANY YEARS....Endless

[@Patrick-yh5yd]

Show us the ones arrested not the cops!

[@raulcasas4548]

Life in prison

[@ih8paper]

9 or more. Such a comic book villain.

[@pesetamaya3509]

Pull it, they should close down the refineries as well. That will help out a lot

[@bethisway]

Yo, when she said "caught with 9! NINE! N.I.N.E! at the same time." Hahaha ain't no one getting caught.

[@stevegonzales527]

Man newsom always passing laws that does nothing. What a guy

[@maggie4619]

legislation, what a joke just like the Governor of CA

[@kyleheard8433]

I thought for a second this dude was actually doing something. Then I heard it takes gettting caught with freaking 9. 8 wasn’t enough? Or 3. He’ll even 1 to have that’s stolen you have to have smoked a whole block of parked cars before it’s a problem. Holy shit

[@doctor_burnsides915]

🎶“I’d get it one piece at a time, and it wouldn't cost me a dime, you’ll know it's me when I come through your town. I'm gonna ride around in style, gonna drive everybody wild. Cause I’ll have the only one there is around.”🎶

[@MrBraddles3128]

Hey Siri, remind me to only steal eight catalytic converters at a time.

[@ronbo30]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 newsome is a joke. No prosecution, released same day, repeat,

[@luvtoyscollector3373]

Wow that’s a lot of money 💰 A Whole family, that’s just so sad.

[@RatfromNadeaust]

The junk yard wants to give me 300 for my whole car but the catalytic converter alone is 900 ? Of that case let me take it off my own car sell it separately and then junk my car.

[@gungadinn]

Retail value of the converter is $900. Did you know, it's illegal for a junk yard to sell used converters as replacement for failed or stolen converters? Your thieves in Sacramento with CARB regulations make it so only California approved converters are allowed to be used in state. Almost like the auto dealers association wants it that way.

[@monkeystrive7501]

How much time are they doing?

[@RACERVISION]

Law is stupid 1 cat should be it.

[@pharoah1200]

So, you keep it under 9 and you're good.

[@Jazzlobotomy]

Stole my catalytic converter then a month later same person on my ring camera offered to buy my car... neighbors charged but never convicted

[@Justsome_Randomdude]

lol 9 cat converters? Newsom is pathetic. Why would anyone have more than 1 or 2 unless they own a specialized shop.

[@HiThisIsMine]

Who decided, “less than 8 stolen catalytic converters.. yea, not quite illegal automotive dismantling yet..” It’s almost as if these “loopholes” are left as loops for a reason. This was your chance to fix the prior flaw 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@leehenri987]

Take their hands first.

[@saburvd7874]

So they will be out of jail in less than 5 years. Did they even have to repay all the people they stole the catalytic converters from or do criminal lives matter more than there victims in America?

[@ClubAmerica92]

Why the fuck is it 9 or more!? If you have more than 3 catalytic converters something ain’t adding up. Blows my mind how difficult politicians make it to solve ongoing crime