U.S. Department
of Justice
US v. Alexander Kolitsas, et al.
Case Description:
On November 14, 2023, a federal grand jury in New Haven returned an eight-count superseding indictment charging ALEXANDER KOLITSAS, 29, of Wolcott; YANQUEE RODRIGUEZ, also known as “Yankster Rodriguez,” 27, of West Hartford; MERVIN FIGUEROA, 26, of New Haven; and MICHAEL ALMODOVAR, also known as “Eme ElColorado,” 30, of New Haven. Kolitsas and four other men were originally charged by indictment in August 2022. As alleged in court documents and statements made in court, law enforcement continues to investigate the theft of catalytic converters from motor vehicles across Connecticut. A catalytic converter contains precious metals, can easily be removed from its vehicle, and is difficult to trace, making it a desirable target for thieves. The average scrap price for catalytic converters currently varies between $300 and $1,500, depending on the model and type of precious metal component.
The superseding indictment alleges that Kolitsas owned and operated Downpipe Depot & Recycling LLC (“Downpipe Depot”), which had a warehouse on Park Avenue in East Hartford. At Downpipe Depot, Kolitsas and a co-conspirator purchased stolen catalytic converters from a network of suppliers, including Rodriguez, Figueroa, and Almodovar. Kolitsas and his associate instructed their suppliers on the types of catalytic converters that would obtain the most profit upon resale. Kolitsas and his associate then transported and sold the catalytic converters to recycling businesses in New York and New Jersey.
The superseding indictment further alleges that Kolitsas and his associate acquired and maintained firearms as Kolitsas’s residence and Downpipe Depot’s warehouse. The superseding indictment charges Kolitsas, Rodriguez, Figueroa, and Almodovar with one count of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and with one or more counts of interstate transportation of stolen property, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years. The superseding indictment also charges Kolitsas with one count of promotional money laundering, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, for using proceeds from the theft and sale of catalytic converters to purchase a Ford Transit Van. He also is charged with two counts of engaging in monetary transactions with proceeds of specified unlawful activity, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years on each count, related to his using Downpipe Depot funds to make a payment to a Mercedes Benz dealership in Florida, and to purchase a home entertainment system. Kolitsas also is charged with one count of possession of firearms by an unlawful drug user or addict, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.
The superseding indictment seeks the forfeiture from Kolitsas of the Ford Transit Van, a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado, a 2016 Polaris Slingshot, a 2022 Toyota Supra, approximately $55,000 in cash, and $92,581 that is held in a Downpipe Depot bank account. Rodriguez and Figueroa were arrested on November 15, 2023, and Almodovar surrendered to law enforcement yesterday. As alleged in statements made in court, during one incident, while Almodovar was in the process of stealing a catalytic converter from a car parked in a parking lot, he was interrupted by a witness, who used his cellphone take pictures of Almodovar. Almodovar attacked the witness, smashed his car window, cut him with the saw he used to steal the converter, and then fled. As alleged in the indictment, the day after this incident, Almodovar sold six converters to Downpipe Depot in exchange for $2,180. Each of the four defendants entered pleas of not guilty and are released on bond pending trial.
On April 10, 2023, Bryant Bermudez, 31, of East Hartford, entered a guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Sarala V. Nagala in Hartford to offenses related to his participation in a stolen catalytic converter trafficking ring. In November 2021, Bermudez began working at Downpipe Depot & Recycling LLC (“Downpipe Depot”), which had a warehouse on Park Avenue in East Hartford. At Downpipe Depot, Bermudez and a co-conspirator purchased stolen catalytic converters from a network of thieves, with some of the transactions occurring late at night, and then transported and sold the catalytic converters to recycling businesses in New York and New Jersey. On at least a bi-weekly basis, Bermudez or a co-conspirator transported van loads of catalytic converters to New York or New Jersey. Some of the trips yielded payments in excess of $200,000. Bermudez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and three counts of interstate transportation of stolen property, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years on each count. Bermudez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of five years, and three counts of interstate transportation of stolen property, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years on each count. Judge Nagala scheduled sentencing for March 5, 2024 for this defendant. Bermudez is released on a $150,000 bond pending sentencing.
Court Documents:
Judgment Order - Francisco Ayala
Judgment Order - Theodore Owens
Judgment Order - Roberto Alicea
Plea Agreement - Theodore Owens
Plea Agreement - Bryant Bermudez
Plea Agreement - Francisco Ayala
Plea Agreement - Roberto Alicea
Press Releases:
U.S. ATTORNEY Press Release -- New Britain Man Admits Stealing and Selling Catalytic Converters
U.S. ATTORNEY Press Release - Ansonia Man Admits Stealing and Selling Catalytic Converters
East Hartford Man Admits Role in Catalytic Converter Theft Ring