HARTFORD, Conn. — A West Hartford man who participated in a stolen catalytic converter trafficking ring and made more than $400,000 pleaded guilty before a judge in Hartford on Wednesday, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut.
Yanquee “Yankster” Rodriguez, 28, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property, which carries a maximum prison term of five years, and one count of interstate transportation of stolen property, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
Prosecutors said law enforcement has been investigating the theft of catalytic converters from vehicles across the state.
“A catalytic converter contains precious metals, can easily be removed from its vehicle and is difficult to trace, making it a desirable target for thieves,” the release said. “The average scrap price for catalytic converters currently varies between $300 and $1,500, depending on the model and type of precious metal component.”
According to prosecutors, Downpipe Depot & Recycling LLC, with a Park Avenue warehouse in East Hartford, bought stolen catalytic converters from a network of thieves, including Rodriguez. Downpipe Depot would then transport and sell the catalytic converters to recycling businesses in New York and New Jersey, prosecutors said.
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During the investigation, prosecutors said it was revealed that Rodriguez was one of Downpipe Depot’s largest suppliers of stolen catalytic converters. Between January 2021 and June 2022, Downpipe Depot paid Rodriguez $411,845 for catalytic converters, according to prosecutors.
Rodriguez was arrested on Nov. 15, 2023, and was released on a $100,000 bond. He will be sentenced on Nov. 18, prosecutors said.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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