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Justice Department announces takedown of catalytic converter theft ring

justice.gov

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Re: Justice Department announces takedown of catalytic converter theft ring

#121

Post by insaneirish »

gpm wrote: post #117
insaneirish wrote: post #96

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Really wish the cops would download a list of who installed this app and find their location data on top of a map of reported thefts... Uh... So, I too found the website and couldn't believe how brazen the business is. I too was surprised about the app. If I downloaded the app because I was so surprised, should my name be given to the police as part of this investigation? That's ridiculous.

Yes. I'd say that counts as probable cause, someone who downloaded the app probably committed a crime. The standard for a search isn't beyond a reasonable doubt.

> I'd say that counts as probable cause, someone who downloaded the app probably committed a crime.

What?! Is Apple a co-conspirator then? What about the people who did app review? Should we round them up and charge them, too?

Re: Justice Department announces takedown of catalytic converter theft ring

#122

Post by TEP_Kim_Il_Sung »

spullara wrote: post #66
Nullabillity wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

GGP is talking about intentionally killing people. That's murder. Please consider applying the correct word to the context you wish to discuss.

For it to be murder it has to be unlawful.

Running a stoplight and making an illegal left turn into a kid running across the street, is unlwaful. Still counts as killing (legal term: manslaughter), not murder.

Re: Justice Department announces takedown of catalytic converter theft ring

#124

Post by gpm »

insaneirish wrote: post #121
gpm wrote: post #117

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes. I'd say that counts as probable cause, someone who downloaded the app probably committed a crime. The standard for a search isn't beyond a reasonable doubt.

> I'd say that counts as probable cause, someone who downloaded the app probably committed a crime. What?! Is Apple a co-conspirator then? What about the people who did app review? Should we round them up and charge them, too?

> Is Apple a co-conspirator then

Probably not? Is doing something that is likely aiding in a crime, but that you don't know for certain is, enough to make you a co-conspirator? Does it change if you do it frequently enough that you're sure you've aided in a crime a fair number of times? I think not, but I'm not sure what the relevant legal standards are.

> What about the people who did app review

Even less likely than Apple, and even if it's technically illegal it would be a good exercise of prosecutorial discretion to not charge them.

Re: Justice Department announces takedown of catalytic converter theft ring

#125

Post by bagels »

grecy wrote: post #30

I feel like this is exactly like going after ivory poachers instead of the buyers at the other end. Who is creating a market for stolen catalytic converters? Are the precious metals being extracted, melted down and sold? to who and where? Put THOSE people in jail for the rest of their lives and change the setup so there is in incentive for anyone to even steal one in the first place.

They're being sold to you and everyone else in new catalytic converters, for one.

There are legitimate sources for these precious metals, and legitimate uses too. The parallel to ivory doesn't make any sense in that you don't have to kill Elephants to get Rhodium.

Re: Justice Department announces takedown of catalytic converter theft ring

#126

Post by from »

xcrunner529 wrote: post #72
reustle wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

People would grind off the serial numbers and sell them on the secondary market, or for the metals. With motorcycles, for example, motors and frames have vin numbers stamped to help prevent this, but you’ll sometimes see cheap parts for sale with the vin cleaned off.

Why can’t it be a felony to buy said items?

It already is. Pawnshops and a lot of other businesses are not allowed to buy items with defaced serial numbers in most states. The stolen converter fences are already operating outside the law and I think what he is saying is that the serial numbers are sort of irrelevant here because the stolen converters are getting melted down anyway and it’s not gonna be on the shelves anywhere for someone to spot.

Re: Justice Department announces takedown of catalytic converter theft ring

#127

Post by Test0129 »

rydifyrhffh wrote: post #54
User23 wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It used to be that back when local cops cared about property crime this was standard operating procedure. When I was a kid if you etched a serial number into your bike frame and parts and registered it with the local PD you were practically assured you’d get your bike back when it inevitably showed up at a pawn shop or similar.

I'm curious where you live that they don't still care tbh. In my experience police do what they're allowed that will be effective. But if you have a DA who refuses to prosecute people or you pass local laws that make doing their job in a manner that gets results impossible then they tend not to waste their time.

Where I live they don't even send police for non-injury accidents anymore. Even if there's a hit and run no police get sent.

Property crimes don't matter anymore. When my friends got their catalytic converters stolen the police never even bothered to show up. Taking statements may not get their cats back, but it goes towards building up a large enough case to justify a unit to handle it.

You are correct though. Our DA is a "soft on crime" type. As a result, all forms of criminal behavior have increased dramatically in the last several years.

Re: Justice Department announces takedown of catalytic converter theft ring

#128

Post by lazide »

mortenjorck wrote: post #50
55555 wrote: post #28

I may be misreading this but the margins look insane. DG Auto paid like 38 million USD for stolen converters, performed a simple extraction process, then sold the precious metals for 550 million USD. Wow.

This makes me very curious how many steps in the laundering chain you have to go before it’s no longer indefensibly obvious that something's not right with the sourcing.

Usually about 3, maybe 4 tops.

Re: Justice Department announces takedown of catalytic converter theft ring

#129

Post by dimitrios1 »

gpm wrote: post #111
TheLoafOfBread wrote: post #103

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Batteries will get stolen for same reason.

I doubt it. Catalytic converters are stolen because they're valuable and easy to make off with . Car batteries are frickin giant, and if you try and take only a piece you get a giant fire instead of a valuable source of rare metals. They don't seem like a great thing to steal.

You are really discounting the ingenuity of criminals. If they can steal 4 tires with wheel locks off your car, they can steal your undercarriage battery.

Re: Justice Department announces takedown of catalytic converter theft ring

#130

Post by 1970-01-01 »

TheLoafOfBread wrote: post #103
kazinator wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's literally "going out of style". Gotta get all the cat converters you can before all the cars are electric!

Batteries will get stolen for same reason.

I think e-bikes are already easy prey in large cities.
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