CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFT RING, TARGETING PARKED CARS IN FIVE COUNTIES, BROKEN UP WITH ARRESTS

NORRISTOWN, Pa. (Aug. 8, 2024) — Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer announce the dismantling of a organized catalytic converter theft ring operating in Montgomery, Delaware, Bucks, Chester and Philadelphia counties. Arrested were Sharief Louden, 30, of Philadelphia; Daniel McIlhenney, 37, and Ryan McIlhenney, 36, both of Folcroft, Pa; Terrell Gibson, 40, of Chester, Pa,; and Loai Nasser, 49, of Cherry Hill, N.J. An arrest warrant has been issued for Ali Sayyam, 29, of Ocean, N.J.

The joint investigation by the Montgomery County Detective Bureau and the Delaware County Criminal Investigation Division began in 2022 when thefts of catalytic converters in Montgomery and surrounding counties rose sharply. Thieves began targeting catalytic converters due to the escalating value of the metals platinum, palladium and rhodium found in the devices. During the height of COVID, prices for precious metals were inflated with rodium selling for as much as $31,000 an ounce; now it’s down to about $4,500 an ounce.

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