8 Aug, 2023 @ 16:49
1 min read

Mechanic steals dozens of catalytic converters with precious metal content from parked cars on Spain’s Costa Blanca

Man steals dozens of catalytic converters from cars on Spain's Costa Blanca with extracted precious metals exported to Germany
Man steals dozens of catalytic converters from cars on Spain's Costa Blanca with extracted precious metals exported to Germany

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A CAR mechanic stole at least 84 catalytic converters from parked cars in Alicante province with precious metals from the units sold off to a German company.

Vehicles were plundered in Albatera, Catral, Crevillente and Elche with the Guardia Civil launching Operation Kataliz such was the large number of thefts being reported to them from early April.

Officers discovered the thefts were carried by just one man, 46, who knew how to quickly and silently remove a converter from under a vehicle.

THIEF ARRESTED

He was looking to make money from the valuable precious metals within them like palladium, rhodium and platinum.

His collaborator was a 63-year-old owner of a Crevillente waste management company who would buy the catalysts for export to Germany.

The Guardia arrested both men at the firm while they were concluding their latest piece of business.

30 of the stolen catalysts valued at €30,000 were removed from the site and have been returned to their owners.

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Alex Trelinski

Alex worked for 30 years for the BBC as a presenter, producer and manager. He covered a variety of areas specialising in sport, news and politics. After moving to the Costa Blanca over a decade ago, he edited a newspaper for 5 years and worked on local radio.

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