Related Federal Cases
- St. Louis Grifter Kemp Admits to $155K Tax Refund Scam · Arizona
- Westminster Man Sentenced for Stealing $500,000 in Sunglasses · South Carolina
- St. Louis Con Man Accused of Stealing 16 Homes · Texas
- Aldi Exec and Contractor Guilty of Rigging Construction Bids · Alabama
- Bankruptcy Bandit: MD Man Gets 90 Months for $1.8M Scam · Arizona
Thieves Cut Out Catalytic Converters in ‘Jewelry Heist’ Style Crimes
In a brazen string of robberies, Matthew Jennings, 31, stole dozens of catalytic converters from trucks and vans around St. Louis, Missouri, netting him a hefty payday.
Beginning in December 2019, Jennings, from East St. Louis, Illinois, and his co-defendant, D’Ante Carter, 38, of Florissant, targeted pickup trucks and vans parked overnight at landscaping companies, commercial businesses, and an organization that helps those with disabilities.
The pair used a reciprocating saw to cut away the valuable converters, which contain trace amounts of precious metals, before selling them to a recycling company in Illinois.
Jennings was ordered to repay $46,001 to victims as part of his nine-month prison sentence handed down by U.S. District Judge Rodney W. Sippel. His co-defendant, Carter, received a similar sentence after pleading guilty to a charge of conspiracy to transport and sell stolen goods.
The FBI and local police departments, including those from St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Creve Coeur, Bridgeton, Maryland Heights, O’Fallon, and Webster Groves, investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John Ware prosecuted the case, securing a guilty plea from Jennings in November.
The thieves’ haul netted them a substantial profit, but the victims were left with costly repairs and a sense of security breached.
Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Category: White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
