Seven men stole catalytic converters from nearly 500 vehicles

Seven men who authorities said, stole catalytic converters from nearly 500 vehicles in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, resulting in losses estimated at $2 million, were arrested Wednesday, federal prosecutors said. The men frequently targeted as many as 10 vehicles per night, and on one night stole from 26 vehicles. The suspects worked like a NASCAR pit crew” using “skill and speed” to jack up vehicles and cut out the catalytic converters. “Catalytic converter theft has become a nationwide problem across multitudes of states. Five of the men are from Springfield, Massachusetts, one is from Holyoke, and the alleged ringleader, Rafael Davila, 35, is from Agawam, authorities said. The defendants face a variety of charges including interstate transportation of stolen property and money laundering conspiracy.