HARTFORD, Conn. — The Wolcott man that prosecutors call the leader of a catalytic converter theft and trafficking ring pleaded guilty to related offenses in Hartford federal court on Monday, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut.
Alexander Kolitsas, 30, steered illegal activity that resulted in the theft of catalytic converters across the state, prosecutors say. Court documents and statements note that different levels of law enforcement investigated the thefts.
Prosecutors say a catalytic converter contains precious metals and can be easily removed from a vehicle. The item is difficult to trace, making it an attractive target for thieves. The average scrap price for catalytic converters varies between $300 and $1,500, depending on the model and type of precious metal component, according to prosecutors.
Kolitsas reportedly owned and operated Downpipe Depot & Recycling LLC, which had a warehouse in East Hartford on Park Avenue. Between January 2021 and June 2022, Kolitsas used the location to purchase stolen catalytic converters from a network of thieves, prosecutors say.
After instructing his suppliers on the types of converters that would resale for the most profit, Kolitsas would often meet with them and transact business at his home late at night or behind a family member’s restaurant after hours, according to prosecutors.
Analysis of records taken from Downpipe Depot show that many of Kolitsas’s suppliers were selling thousands to tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of stolen converters to Kolitsas each week.
Prosecutors add that Kolitsas regularly delivered and sold the catalytic converters to recycling businesses in New York and New Jersey. Some trips resulted in him being paid more than $200,000.
Investigators note that Kolitsas used money made from stealing and selling catalytic converters to buy a Ford Transit Van and other items.
On Monday, Kolitsas pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property, an offense that carries a maximum prison sentence of five years, and one count of promotional money laundering, which could land him in prison for up to 20 years.
As part of a plea agreement, Kolitsas will forfeit his Ford Transit Van, a 2016 Polaris Slingshot, $91,581 held in a Downpipe Depot bank account and $75,127 in cash, all which was seized by law enforcement during the investigation.
Kolitsas was released on a $150,000 bond pending sentencing, which will occur Jan. 22.
The case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division and the East Hartford Police Department.
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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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