The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office has made a significant breakthrough in their investigation into the theft of catalytic converters in the Delaware Valley region. After nearly a year of tireless investigative work, led by detectives from the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, a Philadelphia tow yard and 10 adults, as well as one juvenile, have been charged as part of a multi-million-dollar organized criminal enterprise.
The investigation, which involved the collaboration of three dozen local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in Bucks County, Montgomery County, Delaware County, Philadelphia, and New Jersey, focused not only on individual thieves but also on the organizations or businesses purchasing the stolen catalytic converters. This collaborative effort resulted in charges of corrupt organizations, criminal conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and related charges being recommended by the Bucks County 20th Investigating Grand Jury.
The theft of catalytic converters has seen a sharp increase in recent years, not only in Bucks County but across the nation, due to the high value of the precious metals they contain. Catalytic converters, which are pollution mitigation devices attached to the bottom of vehicles, contain rare and valuable metals such as rhodium, platinum, and palladium. The market prices for these metals have skyrocketed during the pandemic, leading to an increase in thefts.
This investigation revealed that catalytic converters were often stolen in broad daylight and sometimes in as little as a minute. The thieves would then sell the stolen converters to businesses like TDI Towing, located at 2335 Wheatsheaf Lane in Philadelphia, which was identified as the main buyer of catalytic converters stolen in Bucks and Montgomery counties. At its peak, TDI Towing was paying a minimum of $10,000 a night to thieves selling stolen converters. On some nights, there would be 30 transactions, with some thieves returning multiple times. In one shocking incident, a catalytic converter was sawed off from a stolen vehicle right outside the tow yard.
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The extensive surveillance and investigative work carried out by Bucks County detectives and collaborating law enforcement agencies revealed that TDI Towing had been in the business of buying catalytic converters for at least three years. During this time, they purchased an average of 175 catalytic converters per week, totaling 27,300 converters over the three-year period. TDI Towing employees paid an average of $300 per converter, resulting in nearly $8.2 million of illegal profits.
The investigation also exposed the key individuals involved in the operation. Michael Williams, a 52-year-old Philadelphia resident, was found to be the operator of TDI Towing, with several family members and associates also involved in the criminal enterprise. Other individuals charged include Lisa Davalos, Eric Simpson, Michael Bruce, Kevin Schwartz, Patrick Hopkins, and a 17-year-old juvenile.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed the catalytic converter thieves, or “cutters,” involved in supplying TDI Towing. Michael Evangelist, Anthony Davalos Sr., Richard Allan Page, and Gary Shirley have all been charged with various counts related to the theft and trafficking of catalytic converters. Richard Allan Page remains at large, and Bucks County detectives are currently attempting to locate him.
TDI Towing, along with its employees, have been charged with corrupt organizations, criminal conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, theft by unlawful taking, theft of catalytic converter, theft by receiving stolen property, possession of an instrument of crime, and criminal use of a communication facility. Michael Williams and TDI Towing face an additional count of corrupt organizations due to their control over the enterprise. Eric Simpson, who was a cutter when not working at the tow yard, faces additional charges of theft, fleeing or attempting to elude police.
Anthony Davalos, who has a history of catalytic converter thefts and outstanding charges, faces three counts of aggravated assault and various other charges related to his involvement in the enterprise. He was involved in a dangerous incident in which he attempted to run down a Lower Southampton detective who was trying to stop him from stealing another catalytic converter. The detective narrowly avoided being pinned between two vehicles during the altercation.
While this case is being closed by presentment, the investigation will continue, and additional persons may be charged for their participation in the theft and trafficking of catalytic converters. The joint efforts of the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, along with the numerous law enforcement agencies involved, have successfully dismantled a multi-million-dollar criminal enterprise responsible for the theft of thousands of catalytic converters in the Delaware Valley region.
This case serves as a reminder of the ongoing problem of catalytic converter thefts, not only in Bucks County but across the nation. Law enforcement agencies continue to combat this issue, targeting not only individual thieves but also the larger organizations and businesses that enable these crimes. Through collaborative investigations and the prosecution of those involved, law enforcement aims to deter future thefts and protect consumers from the financial burden of repairing or replacing stolen catalytic converters.
