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Springfield catalytic converter crew leader pleaded guilty after nearly 500 stolen across Massachusetts
By Ashley Shook,
13 days ago
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A Springfield man, who has been identified as the leader of a regional crew that stole nearly 500 catalytic converters, pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday.
According to the Department of Justice in Boston, 35-year-old Rafael Davila , a/k/a “Robbin Hood,” of Springfield led a crew in stealing catalytic converters and burglaries multiple nights per week for upwards of eight hours a night. He planned and transported each targeted theft using his own vehicle.
Detectives found detailed notes maintained by Davila accounting for locations and the number of stolen catalytic converters. The catalytic converters were sold to scrap dealers across the Northeast for approximately $30,000 to $80,000 per week.
Courtesy: Department of Justice
(Massachusetts State Police)
(Longmeadow Police Department)
Seven men including Davila were arrested in April 2023 and charged in connection with the theft, transportation, and sale of stolen catalytic converters taken from nearly 500 vehicles across Massachusetts and New Hampshire in 2022 through April 2023.
Davila admitted to the following:
Catalytic converter thefts, approximately $2 million in losses
Conspiring to steal from ATMs of federally insured banks in Massachusetts on three separate occasions in December 2022
Committing burglaries of two New Hampshire jewelry stores on January 12, 2023
Theft of a trailer on December 14, 2022
Breaking into the stores by smashing the glass doors and breaking the jewelry cases and stealing jewelry, worth over $137,000
Davila pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport stolen property in interstate commerce, interstate transportation of stolen property, conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to commit bank theft, and bank theft. He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 30th.
Over 70 local police departments in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Connecticut assisted in the investigation.
22News began broadcasting in March 1953 providing local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Follow WWLP-22News on X @WWLP22News and Facebook .
22News began broadcasting in March 1953 providing local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Follow WWLP-22News on X @WWLP22News and Facebook .
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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