HARTFORD, CT – Michael Almodovar, 30, of New Haven, pleaded guilty today to federal charges stemming from a brazen catalytic converter theft ring that stretched across state lines. The operation, according to court documents, saw thieves stripping the valuable components from vehicles across Connecticut and selling them for quick cash.
Almodovar, also known as “Eme ElColorado,” admitted to being a key player in the network, supplying stolen converters to Downpipe Depot & Recycling LLC, located in East Hartford. Between March and May 2022, Downpipe Depot allegedly paid Almodovar a staggering $34,445 for the stolen parts. The converters were then shipped to recycling businesses in New York and New Jersey, effectively laundering the stolen goods.
The investigation took a violent turn when Almodovar was caught in the act of stealing a catalytic converter from a vehicle in a parking lot. Confronted by a witness who began taking photos, Almodovar allegedly attacked the man, smashing his car window and cutting him with the saw he was using to remove the converter before fleeing the scene. Undeterred, Almodovar returned the following day and sold six stolen converters to Downpipe Depot for $2,180.
Catalytic converters contain precious metals like palladium, platinum, and rhodium, making them highly valuable on the black market. The average scrap price currently ranges from $300 to $1,500, depending on the model and metal content, creating a lucrative incentive for thieves. The ease of removal and difficulty in tracing the parts make them an attractive target.
Almodovar now faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison on one count of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property, and up to ten years on a separate count of interstate transportation of stolen property. U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala has scheduled sentencing for June 18. He remains detained pending that hearing.
The case was a joint effort by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI), and the East Hartford Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren C. Clark and A. Reed Durham are prosecuting the case, aiming to dismantle the entire converter trafficking operation and hold all involved parties accountable.
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