California Family Behind Catalytic Converter Theft Ring Pleads Guilty
Three members of the Vang family have pleaded guilty to being involved in a nationwide catalytic converter theft ring, which operated for three years and amassed a staggering $600 million. The family’s illegal activities came to an end in October 2022 after authorities orchestrated a crackdown on thieves, dealers, and processors involved in the ring’s operations.
Monica Moua, 58, and her two sons, Tou Sue Vang, 32, and Andrew Vang, 28, were paid a total of more than $38 million to transport stolen catalytic converters from California to New Jersey. Federal prosecutors from the Eastern District of California announced on Monday that all three family members pleaded guilty to conspiring to transport stolen catalytic converters in exchange for the multimillion-dollar payments.
In addition, Tou Sue Vang also pleaded guilty to 39 charges related to money laundering. Out of the 21 individuals believed to be involved in the catalytic converter theft ring, nine, including members of the Vang family, will face charges in California.
The Vang family operated the criminal enterprise from their home in Sacramento, according to prosecutors. They purchased stolen catalytic converters from local thieves and then sent the stolen goods to DG Auto Parts, an LLC registered in New Jersey. The converters were knowingly purchased by six individuals who managed multiple DG Auto locations in the state. These individuals would extract the valuable metal powders from the converters’ core and sell them to a metal refinery, completing the profit-making cycle of the operation.
As a result of their guilty pleas, Monica Moua and Andrew Yang are both potentially facing up to five years in prison, while Tou Sue Vang could serve anywhere from 5 to 20 years per count, in addition to fines.
Catalytic converters have become a popular target for thieves due to the precious metals they contain. Palladium, platinum, and rhodium, found in the core of these devices, can be resold at a significant profit. Some of these metals are even more valuable than an ounce of gold, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Stolen catalytic converters can fetch around $1,000 each, with prices varying based on the vehicle model and location.
Catalytic converter theft claims have been on the rise, with California alone accounting for 37% of all reported cases in the country. In 2022, approximately 1,600 catalytic converters were stolen in the state every month.
This significant bust serves as a warning to those involved in similar criminal activities and sends a clear message that law enforcement is actively working to put an end to catalytic converter theft rings.