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.
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Courtesy: Department of Justice -
(Massachusetts State Police) -
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(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.