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The leader of a regional organized theft crew, who orchestrated the thefts of catalytic converters from nearly 500 vehicles across the region, multiple jewelry store robberies and the stealing of banks' automated teller machines has been sentenced in federal court in Boston. Law enforcement officials said there has been a "precipitous decline in catalytic converter thefts" in Massachusetts as a result of the takedown – with nine reported incidents of catalytic converter theft over the past 18 months following the arrests compared to the hundreds of thefts reported during the nine-month period prior. In April 2024, Davila pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport stolen property in interstate commerce; interstate transportation of stolen property; conspiracy commit money laundering, conspiracy to commit bank theft; and bank theft.
The leader of a regional organized theft crew, who orchestrated the thefts of catalytic converters from nearly 500 vehicles across the region, multiple jewelry store robberies and the stealing of banks' automated teller machines has been sentenced in federal court in Boston.
Rafael Davila, a/k/a "Robbin Hood," of Springfield, Massachusetts, was sentenced to 10 years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Davila was also ordered to pay restitution of approximately $157,000 and complete 75 hours of community service at a food pantry.
Law enforcement officials said there has been a "precipitous decline in catalytic converter thefts" in Massachusetts as a result of the takedown – with nine reported incidents of catalytic converter theft over the past 18 months following the arrests compared to the hundreds of thefts reported during the nine-month period prior.
Davila was also ordered to forfeit a number of assets – including a Chevrolet Suburban, an Acura MDX, two motorcycles, six dirt bikes and two jet skis – that were acquired with proceeds of the offenses to which he pleaded guilty or were involved in the money laundering conspiracy.
In April 2024, Davila pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport stolen property in interstate commerce; interstate transportation of stolen property; conspiracy commit money laundering, conspiracy to commit bank theft; and bank theft.
In April 2023, Rafael Davila was arrested and charged along with six others 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. Officials believe there were additional thefts have not been identified or were never reported to law enforcement.
Catalytic converter theft has become a problem due to the high-valued precious metals they contain – some of which are more valuable than gold, with black-market prices being more than $1,000 each in recent years.
Prosecutors said the crew was led by Davila, who engaged in catalytic converter thefts and burglaries on a full-time basis – committing thefts multiple nights per week for upwards of eight hours a night. The thefts resulted in losses of approximately $5,000 per vehicle with certain trucks costing over $10,000 to repair. This amounts to an approximate $2 million in losses suffered by more than 300 separate victims including businesses and individuals, food pantry, automotive businesses, tradesmen, a bakery, single parents, a home healthcare provider and the elderly.
In addition to the catalytic converter thefts, Davila admitted to conspiring to steal from ATMs of federally insured banks in Massachusetts on three separate occasions.
According to prosecutors, Davila also admitted to committing burglaries at two New Hampshire jewelry stores in 2023, and the theft of a trailer in 2022.
Rafael Davila is the fourth defendant to be sentenced in the case. Three remaining co-defendants have each pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing, prosecutors said.
Over 70 local police departments in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut contributed to the investigation.
Source: U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts
Copyright Wells Media Group, Inc. Oct 8, 2024