Justice Department announces takedown of catalytic converter theft ring • Hacker News Board

Re: Justice Department announces takedown of catalytic converter theft ring

#231

Post by fastball » Thu, Nov 03, 2022, 3:18 AM UTC

insaneirish wrote: post #96

fswd wrote: post #70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wow. I googled DG Auto, and they even have an app for thieves to check prices. https://dgauto.app/ 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...

> 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.

Why is that ridiculous? Information like that is subpoena'd all the time.

An inadvertent customer of a criminal organization is still a customer of a criminal organization.

If you're not dealing in stolen catalytic converters not really sure why you would care if the cops know you downloaded an app for that.

Re: Justice Department announces takedown of catalytic converter theft ring

#232

Post by Rebelgecko » Thu, Nov 03, 2022, 3:20 AM UTC

adrr wrote: post #230

User23 wrote: post #211

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When the cops don’t show up to take a report it doesn’t show up in crime report statistics.

Do you have data backing that up? The data is all FOIA-able like calls to the police department and dispatch data. There's also insurance claim data which requires a police report.

Does FOIA data include how many calls the police don't pick up? I've literally never gotten an answer when calling my local PD's non-emergency number

Re: Justice Department announces takedown of catalytic converter theft ring

#233

Post by spoonjim » Thu, Nov 03, 2022, 3:22 AM UTC

Given how few people who steal catalytic converters are ever punished for it, they should give these guys extreme punishments (eg life without parole or 50 years) to make the expected value of the punishment as high as they can.

Re: Justice Department announces takedown of catalytic converter theft ring

#234

Post by andrei_says_ » Thu, Nov 03, 2022, 3:23 AM UTC

labster wrote: post #219

chrisweekly wrote: post #150

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Mexico -> New Mexico, right?

Ah yes, for all of those thieves looking for a quick buck driving 1300 miles round-trip to Gallup instead of a quick hop down to TJ where they can grab contraband for the return trip. I guess instead of drugs, the New Mexico bandits can bring back some of those cheap (cheep) small-cage eggs back to California, but they’ll have to be fast, like Burt Reynolds did with his eighteen-wheeler.

No post body was provided.

Re: Justice Department announces takedown of catalytic converter theft ring

#235

Post by loeg » Thu, Nov 03, 2022, 3:23 AM UTC

scottdevries wrote: post #11

I wonder if the same amount of resources will be used to take down the Nationwide Bicycle Theft Ring as well.

It’s mostly not organized. (Though there do seem to be some rings exporting high end bikes to Mexico for sale.)

Re: Justice Department announces takedown of catalytic converter theft ring

#236

Post by mindcrime » Thu, Nov 03, 2022, 3:28 AM UTC

labster wrote: post #219

chrisweekly wrote: post #150

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Mexico -> New Mexico, right?

Ah yes, for all of those thieves looking for a quick buck driving 1300 miles round-trip to Gallup instead of a quick hop down to TJ where they can grab contraband for the return trip. I guess instead of drugs, the New Mexico bandits can bring back some of those cheap (cheep) small-cage eggs back to California, but they’ll have to be fast, like Burt Reynolds did with his eighteen-wheeler.

The boys are thirsty in Atlanta and there's beer in Texarkana and we'll bring it back no matter what it takes...

Re: Justice Department announces takedown of catalytic converter theft ring

#237

Post by sebmellen » Thu, Nov 03, 2022, 3:29 AM UTC

andrei_says_ wrote: post #234

labster wrote: post #219

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ah yes, for all of those thieves looking for a quick buck driving 1300 miles round-trip to Gallup instead of a quick hop down to TJ where they can grab contraband for the return trip. I guess instead of drugs, the New Mexico bandits can bring back some of those cheap (cheep) small-cage eggs back to California, but they’ll have to be fast, like Burt Reynolds did with his eighteen-wheeler.

Quoted post unavailable.

What do these "unpacking" comments mean, and why are they getting progressively more common on HN? I don't feel they add much value.

Re: Justice Department announces takedown of catalytic converter theft ring

#238

Post by rydifyrhffh » Thu, Nov 03, 2022, 3:30 AM UTC

magicalist wrote: post #100

rydifyrhffh wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

If you've never experienced the indifference of a cop taking a property crime report and the complete lack of follow up, just pick a place and you can look at non-violent crime clearance rate. They really don't care.

As it happens I experienced exactly this scenario when a homeless person broke into my house while I was asleep, stole a bunch of stuff, and then made off with my car. The cop certainly didn't solve all my problems but they were clear about what they needed to know and what I'd need to do if I wanted to hear back from the city when the person was found. If the police in your area don't care it seems far more likely that they either don't feel allowed to police effectively or they feel their efforts will be wasted.

Re: Justice Department announces takedown of catalytic converter theft ring

#239

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Nov 03, 2022, 3:35 AM UTC

adrr wrote: post #230

User23 wrote: post #211

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When the cops don’t show up to take a report it doesn’t show up in crime report statistics.

Do you have data backing that up? The data is all FOIA-able like calls to the police department and dispatch data. There's also insurance claim data which requires a police report.

[deleted]

Re: Justice Department announces takedown of catalytic converter theft ring

#240

Post by mechanical_bear » Thu, Nov 03, 2022, 3:41 AM UTC

linsomniac wrote: post #174

dimitrios1 wrote: post #129

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Really? I'm pretty sure I have the tools in my garage to steal 4 wheels with locking nuts. I'm absolutely certain I couldn't steal the battery in my EV without stealing the whole EV. Which has a GPS tracker built into it.

Faraday cages and transport trucks. The next EV theft wave.