Worth Township Man Accused Of Hoarding 612 Stolen Catalytic Converters

WORTH TOWNSHIP, IL — Hundreds of catalytic converters were found at unincorporated Worth Township residence, in what Cook County Sheriff’s Police said is one of the largest recoveries of the vehicle part in the state. Catalytic converters can fetch up to $1,500 on the black market.

Sheriff’s police patrol officers responded to a burglar alarm May 7 at a home in the 6000 block of 128th Place. No one from the residence responded to officers’ knock on the door. Officers walked around the property to ensure the home was secured. When peeking over the backyard fence, they discovered what appeared to be hundreds of catalytic converters in a metal crate, and others stacked along the fence.

Catalytic converters believed to be stolen were found in Worth Township

Investigators from the Cook County sheriff’s Street Crimes Suppression Unit and the Illinois Statewide Auto Theft Task Force (ISATT) launched an investigation. They learned that the property belonged to 40-year-old Ramsy Sandoka, the sheriff’s office said. Sandoka owns a tow company, but there were no records that Sandoka or his business have a license to buy, sell, recycle or possess catalytic converters, according to investigators.

Sheriff’s police and state investigators executed a search warrant Tuesday at Sandoka’s residence. They recovered 612 catalytic converters of all shapes and sizes, and in various stages of rust, police said. Some did not have any rust on them, indicating they had been recently cut. Investigators said Sandoka could not produce documentation showing that he owned the vehicle parts or that he had a license to buy, sell, recycle or possess them.

Sandoka was arrested on suspicion of theft. On Wednesday, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office approved a felony charge against Sandoka of aggravated possession of a stolen vehicle, a Class 1 felony. He was also charged with misdemeanor counts of failure to keep recyclable purchase records, selling/purchasing catalytic converters and violation of recycle metal law.

Catalytic converters are a growing target of thieves because of the precious metals contained in them that can be extracted and sold at a high value. According to data from State Farm Insurance, catalytic converter thefts have increased more than 400 percent since 2019 nationwide, and Illinois ranked third in thefts.

The Worth Township man is scheduled Thursday for a bond hearing at the Bridgeview Courthouse.

Catalytic converters believed to be stolen were found in Worth Township