Family behind $600 million nationwide catalytic converter theft ring pleads guilty
Family behind $600 million nationwide catalytic converter theft ring pleads guilty
Story by Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY • 5d
Three members of California family pleaded guilty to their roles in a $600 million nationwide catalytic converter theft ring that operated for three years, prosecutors say.
The Vang family was part of a nationwide catalytic converter theft ring that ceased operations in October of 2022 after authorities coordinated a takedown of thieves, dealers and processors over a $600 million sale to a metal refinery.
Monica Moua, 58, and her two sons, Tou Sue Vang, 32, and Andrew Vang, 28, were paid more than $38 million to transport stolen catalytic converters from California to New Jersey, federal prosecutors from the Eastern District of California announced Monday. All pleaded guilty to conspiring to transport stolen catalytic converters from California to New Jersey in return for the multimillion-dollar payments.
Tou Sue Vang also pleaded guilty to an additional 39 charges related to money laundering.
Nine people, including members of the Vang family, out of 21 people believed to be involved in the ring will face charges in California.
How did the family sell so many catalytic converters?
Prosecutors said the Vang family ran the operation from their home in Sacramento. After purchasing stolen catalytic converters from local thieves, they shipped the catalytic converters to DG Auto Parts, an LLC registered in New Jersey.
Six people who were managing multiple DG Auto locations in New Jersey had knowingly purchased the stolen catalytic converters and extracted the metal powders in the catalytic converter core, federal prosecutors say.
The group then sold the powders to a metal refinery.
Monica Moua and Andrew Yang are both facing up to five years in prison, and Tou Sue Vang could serve anywhere from 5 to 20 years per count, in addition to fines.
What makes a catalytic converter so valuable?
The part itself isn’t as valuable as what’s inside it.
Catalytic converters are designed to reduce the amount of toxins and pollutants inside a vehicle’s internal combustion engine.
Precious metals inside the catalytic converter’s core including palladium, platinum and rhodium can be sold for a large profit. Some of the metals found in the core are more valuable than an ounce of gold, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The price for a stolen catalytic converter can vary based on the model of the vehicle and its location, but the parts generally can fetch $1,000 apiece.
The state of California accounts for 37% of all catalytic converter theft claims reported around the country, with about 1,600 stolen a month in 2022.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Family behind $600 million nationwide catalytic converter theft ring pleads guilty
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