PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Authorities have busted an organized catalytic converter theft ring in Montgomery, Delaware, Bucks, Chester and Philadelphia counties.
Five of the six men officials say were involved in the ring — Sharief Louden, 30; Daniel McIlhenney, 37; Ryan McIlhenney, 36; Terrell Gibson, 40; and Loai Nasser, 49 — have been arrested. An arrest warrant has been issued for 29-year-old Ali Sayyam of Ocean, New Jersey.
Officials say the group would target cars in highly trafficked areas, like malls, grocery stores, and the Philadelphia International Airport, and, in less than two minutes, jack up a car, remove the converter and leave.
They would then sell the converters to two specific Philly salvage yards — one of which recorded sales of more than $1 million.
Converters are part of the car’s exhaust system, made up of precious metals like platinum, palladium and rhodium. When stolen or removed, the engine sounds very loud.
Officials say the price skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with rodium selling for as much as $31,000 an ounce. It’s now about $4,500 an ounce.
When thefts began to rise throughout Philly and surrounding counties in 2022, Montgomery and Delaware county detectives began their investigation.
Through surveillance, cell phone records and several interviews, they were able to identify their suspects. Loudon, Ryan and Daniel McIlhenney, Gibson and Nassar have been charged with corrupt organization, theft of catalytic converter and related offenses.