This report details a Catalytic Converter theft operation in Alicante and parts of Valencia. Three individuals of Georgian origin were apprehended on suspicion of forming a traveling group that specialized in removing catalytic converters from vehicles along the coast of the Valencian Community. Authorities say the suspects stole 28 catalysts in Alicante and 11 in Alzira and Algemesí, villages within the Valencia region.
The group operated with a clear focus on three popular car models and worked mainly at night. The National Police recovered several catalytic converters that had been stolen by the detainees in Alicante and linked these items to the suspected thieves.
police coordination
The dismantling of this criminal network followed a coordinated effort between the Northern District Police Station in Alicante and the Alzira Police Station in Valencia. Both offices were investigating similar catalytic converter thefts and quickly established that the cases involved the same individuals. The thieves reportedly moved at night in a single vehicle and targeted the same three vehicle models from a specific brand that were parked on public roads.
There were recurring sightings of three suspects in Eastern European areas during late hours near locations where thefts occurred, notably around San Juan beach. Police obtained photographs from a witness who captured one of the盗 thieves during a catalytic converter theft, providing crucial visual evidence.
Alicante Police confirmed the distribution of tasks among the suspects and the pace of their thefts, while investigators worked to place the vehicle in the robbery zones on the dates of the incidents.
A police officer transported a detainee caught with stolen catalysts in Alicante. INFORMATION
In parallel, agents from the Alzira Police Station in Valencia were pursuing similar cases, often occurring in parking lots away from city centers and in cars left in the morning for a set period. Investigations suggested the thieves targeted vehicles parked for short windows of time.
The National Police proceeded with an investigative action that included off duty officers from Alzira Local Police. A patrol officer found two suspects tampering with the undercarriage of a parked vehicle, enabling authorities to identify the same individuals under investigation in Alicante.
cross investigations
Following a review of complaints and surveillance footage from locations tied to the incidents, investigators focused on these two individuals. The inquiry overlapped with the Alicante case, prompting combined efforts to disband the traveling group. The joint operation by the two police stations led to the arrest of three members of the criminal organization and the recovery of some stolen catalysts along with a wide array of tools allegedly used to commit the thefts after a search at one suspect’s residence in Alicante.
The authorities have confirmed 28 catalyst thefts in Alicante and 11 more in Alzira and Algemesí, according to local ordinances. The detainees include two men and a woman, aged between 38 and 48, all Georgian nationals. They have been remanded in custody by the Alicante court, with two more individuals arrested in connection with the case.
A very valuable piece
Officials note that catalytic converters are a critical component for vehicle operation because they contain precious metals such as platinum, rhodium, and palladium. These materials serve to reduce harmful emissions in exhaust systems and are highly sought after on the black market due to their high value, often surpassing gold in resale terms.
For car owners affected by these crimes, repairing the damage from a theft can cost far more than the illicit sale of a stolen catalytic converter. Replacement prices vary widely, typically ranging from 300 to 500 euros for standard cars, up to 700 euros for luxury models, and 1,000 to 3,000 euros for larger vehicles like trucks or minibuses. Labor costs for replacement can add another 800 to 1,000 euros.
Police tips to avoid these robberies
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If parking indoors is not possible, seek well-lit, busy areas where visibility is higher
- <pMarking the catalyst with the vehicle registration or VIN, or applying a special coating of paint helps deter illegal sales and aids inspectors if theft occurs
- <pInstalling a lower protective plate at a workshop can hinder thieves who specialize in this type of crime