A Philadelphia towing company has been accused of running an organized criminal enterprise which purchased millions of dollars’ worth of stolen catalytic converters from thieves to sell at a profit, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors said TDI Towing purchased $8.2 million dollars’ worth of stolen catalytic converters from “cutters,” a name given to the thieves who steal them, and later resold them with an 8% markup.

The converters, which reduce pollution and toxic gas from a vehicle’s emissions, contain valuable precious metals such as palladium, platinum and rhodium.

Towing company by day, criminal enterprise by night, prosecutors say

In addition to the company, 11 people have been charged in connection with what prosecutors said was the stealing, buying and reselling of more than 25,000 stolen catalytic converters, in addition to other charges, according to Bucks County District Attorney Matthew Weintraub.

A nearly yearlong investigation found TDI Towing had been in the business of buying catalytic converters for at least three years, and during that time they bought an average of 175 catalytic converters a week, or 27,300 during those three years, the Buck’s County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement. TDI employees paid an average of $300 per catalytic converter, the DA’s office said.

“While TDI Towing advertised itself as operating during daytime hours, people would arrive all throughout the night to sell catalytic converters,” according to the DA’s statement. “The tow yard was so popular with thieves that in one case, a catalytic converter was sawed off from a stolen vehicle right outside the yard.”

The investigation revealed that TDI Towing was controlled and operated by Michael Williams, 52, of Philadelphia, the DA said, adding that most of those involved in the alleged organized crime enterprise had a family connection to Williams.

Prosecutors characterized Williams as the “king pin” of the operation, paying the so-called “cutters” for stolen catalytic converters. According to prosecutors, at the height of the criminal operation, TDI Towing was spending approximately $10,000 each night on stolen catalytic converters.

Williams is facing several charges related to buying, possessing, and selling stolen catalytic converters, in addition to organized crime and corruption charges, according to court documents.

Williams is accused of purchasing stolen catalytic converters from “cutters” from 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic caused supply-chain issues, resulting in a market price increase for the precious materials inside, ranging from $1,000 to $7,000 per ounce, Weintraub said.

Williams’ defense attorney, Bruce Castor Jr., told CNN his client believes he’s been treated fairly by Bucks County authorities and will await the outcome of the criminal proceedings. Castor declined to comment further.

According to the DA’s office, the company, Williams, six TDI employees and four “cutters” were charged. Except for one person who is still at large, those charged were arraigned on June 22 and 23. The DA’s office said no one has been required to enter a plea ahead of preliminary hearings which are scheduled to begin July 5.

The arrests and charges were the result of thousands of hours of video surveillance, six controlled sales and the collaboration of 27 law enforcement agencies, according to the DA’s office. The initial investigation began in Bucks County after law enforcement began looking into the string of stolen catalytic converters there. The investigation led them to TDI Towing in Philadelphia and to other Pennsylvania counties, the DA’s office told CNN.

“Criminals don’t care about borders but when we work together, we’re not restricted by borders either,” Weintraub said during a news conference.

Surge in catalytic converter theft

Catalytic converter theft has skyrocketed around the country in recent years, according to a report from the National Insurance Crime Bureau. In May, the report found there were more than 64,000 catalytic converter thefts in 2022, based on insurance claims data.

It can cost between $1,000 and $3,500 or more to replace a stolen catalytic converter, depending on the type of vehicle, the bureau said.

Source: edition.cnn.com

On 30 June SAG-AFTRA, the US actors’ union, and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) agreed a contract extension until 12 July so that negotiations on a new deal can continue. The current contract was due to expire at 11.59pm Pacific Time, risking a strike if a deal or extension was not agreed.

SAG-AFTRA members voted overwhelmingly to authorise a strike on 5 June with 97.91% in favour. This gave them additional leverage going into negotiations with the AMPTP, on top of the leverage from the WGA strike which entered its third month on 2 July.

Since then over a thousand SAG-AFTRA members have signed a “prepared to strike” letter to union leaders re-emphasising their willingness to strike. The letter has been signed by a number of A-List actors including Charlize Theron, Pedro Pascal, and Jamie Lee Curtis. This came shortly after a YouTube video on 23 June from SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher and National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland saying that they are “going to achieve a seminal deal.”

Key issues in the negotiation of a new contract are the use of AI in film and TV productions, “out of control” self-tape demands, and increased compensation. One particular sticking point, according to Variety, is demands for higher residuals from streaming services. Currently streaming residuals are done on a predetermined formula which decreases as a film or TV show ages, resulting in much lower residuals than from traditional network TV. Both SAG-AFTRA and the WGA want to move to a viewership-based residuals model with bonuses for the most-watched shows.

There would be huge ramifications for Hollywood if actors do go on strike after 12 July including delays to every film and TV production not already shut down by the WGA strike. There would also be delays to major awards shows like the Emmys with a decision by the end of July on whether the show’s September date is feasible. It would also be a huge boost to the WGA strike and show solidarity between the different Hollywood unions.

Source: www.indiependent.co.uk