Mesa police arrest 6 suspects in connection to catalytic converters thefts – AZFamily
MESA, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) — A Mesa Police Dehalfment undercover operation into thefts of catalytic converters has led To six arrests. Operation Heavy Metallic was carried out By way of the summer time As a Outcome of of rise in thieves stealing catalytic converters from beneath automobiles and vans. The suspects have been promoting the stolen catalytic converters to undercover officers for $300 to $500 per half. Police additionally said the group additionally purchased what they believed to be stolen catalytic converters from undercover officers.
Between June 19 and June 20, the thieves broke into the Decide-A-Part located on Extension Road by slicing The power After which slicing siding from the constructing. They then stole 141 catalytic converters that have been estimated to be worth Greater than $40,000 and 300 kilos of No. 2 copper, collectively with scrap metal copper. The break-in additionally triggered Greater than $50,000 in property damage.
The biggest Method To cease catalytic converter theft; Mesa Midas store Is in a place to assist
Mesa police launched the names of three of the six suspects arrested. They’re 27-yr-previous Federico Alejandro Guttierrez, 34-yr-previous Chriceaseher Frenci and 19-yr-previous Anthony Aguilar Toledo. Police said Guttierrez purchased stolen catalytic converters a quantity of occasions to undercover officers and organized provides. He additionally admitted to slicing catalytic converters from companies, collectively with from a preschool, police said. Guttierrez faces Greater than two dozen felonies, collectively with trafficking stolen property and third-diploma housebreaking. Courtroom paperwork said Frenci was An factor of the catalytic converter heist in June and purchased 156 kilos of copper from that crime. He faces Greater than a dozen costs. Toledo is accused of promoting a stolen catalytic converter to an undercover officer for $350 in June. He is dealing with a cost of illegal buy or sale of used catalytic converter.
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