The Mossos d'Esquadra have arrested four men in the second phase of an investigation into the theft of catalytic converters in several Catalan regions. The operation, directed from the Igualada police station, targets both the alleged perpetrators of the thefts and the network that bought, stored, and disposed of the stolen material.
The case outlines a chain that went from streets and parking lots in l'Anoia to warehouses and storage rooms in Terrassa, Igualada, and Vilafranca del Penedès. One of the arrested individuals is also under investigation for 17 thefts, while one of the inspected companies appeared as the final destination for the material before its transfer to Ukraine.
Searches on May 13th located warehouses in Terrassa and a company in Vilafranca del Penedès
The investigation began in January and entered its second phase last week with the arrest of three men, aged 55, 54, and 27, as alleged perpetrators of receiving stolen goods and belonging to a criminal group.
On May 13th, officers conducted three simultaneous searches in warehouses in Terrassa, Igualada, and Vilafranca del Penedès to locate the individuals who allegedly bought the stolen catalytic converters and sold them on the market.
In Terrassa, investigators inspected a set of storage rooms that functioned as an intermediate storage point. There, they found stolen catalytic converters, as well as stolen motorcycle parts, and arrested two people for receiving stolen goods.
Meanwhile, in Vilafranca del Penedès, the Mossos entered a company that manages and treats catalytic converters. During the inspection, they detected an irregularity in the purchase records and identified the company as the final destination for the material before its transport to Ukraine.
The first phase had already resulted in three arrests for thirty thefts
The operation had already had a first phase, concluded on March 19th, with the arrest of three men as alleged perpetrators of 30 counts of theft and belonging to a criminal group.
That line of work focused on thefts committed in different towns in l'Anoia, el Segrià, and el Vallès Occidental. The second phase broadened the focus to the links that allegedly received the material and introduced it into the sales circuit.
One day after the searches, on May 14th, the Mossos arrested a fourth individual involved in Igualada. Investigators link him to 17 counts of theft committed in Vilanova del Camí and Santa Margarida de Montbui.
After declaring at police facilities, all detainees were released with the obligation to appear before the judge when required.