Tow firms don’t are likely to have an important rap — and the tales of promoting and auctioning automobiles with out the proprietor’s information to purposely concentrating on sure parts of the inhabitants for revenue actually don’t assist. So you won’t be stunned to listen to that one Philadelphia tow firm is the mastermind behind a multi-million greenback catalytic converter theft ring. Charges have been filed towards 11 people concerned, as reported by Philadelphia’s ABC 6.
In an announcement by Bucks County District Attorney Matt Weintrub, the investigation into Philadelphia’s TDI Towing theft ring included over 5,000 hours of undercover surveillance and revealed an $8 million scheme in stolen converters over three years. TDI would common about 175 converters per week and obtain $300 a bit for the capsule of valuable metals that embrace rhodium, platinum and palladium.
According to authorities, the pinnacle honcho behind all of it was one Michael Williams who ran the towing firm. Six different suspects had been each workers and someway associated to Williams. Authorities say all of them labored collectively stealing converters from victims.
Six workers, a lot of whom are associated to Williams, are additionally charged. They embrace Michael Bruce, Eric Simpson, Kevin Schwartz, Patrick Hopkins, Lisa Davalos, and a juvenile. Investigators say these suspects purchased the converters, which had been delivered to TDI Towing all hours of the night time.
Four extra suspects, who investigators described because the cutters are additionally charged. They embrace Anthony Davalos, Michael Evangelist, and Gary Shirley, all of whom have been arrested. Richard Page remains to be on the run.
TDI didn’t simply steal from autos inside Philadelphia metropolis limits both. A complete of 27 different native legislation enforcement companies labored with authorities on the TDI Towing investigation.
Source: jalopnik.com