Men Arrested In Lower Moreland For Allegedly Possessing Drugs, Stolen Catalytic Converter

LOWER MORELAND, PA — Two Philadelphia men who police say had a stolen catalytic converter and 15 bundles of heroin packets were arrested in Lower Moreland Township following a car stop on Nov. 6, according to local police.

Carlos Ruiz, 34, and Aramis Matos, 25, were arrested by Lower Moreland Township police recently and charged with drug possession, possessing stolen property and other crimes.

Police say the two men were pulled over in the parking lot of the Wawa at 2500 Philmont Avenue on Nov. 6 after officers noticed that they were missing a license plate on their vehicle.

Upon further investigation, both Ruiz and Matos were found to be in possession of a catalytic converter, power tools and heroin packets, police said.

Both men were dressed similarly in entirely black, according to police.

Catalytic converter thefts have been rampant as of late, as the metal from the stolen automotive part can be lucrative for thieves.

According to records from Magisterial District Court, Lower Moreland Police charged Ruiz with three misdemeanors: possessing an instrument of crime, receiving stolen property and possessing drug paraphernalia.

They charged Matos with the same three misdemeanors along with a felony count of drug manufacture, deliver or possession with intent to distribute, along with summary violations relating to the improperly displayed vehicle plate and driving with no registration.

Preliminary hearings for both have been scheduled for Nov. 22 before Magisterial District Court Judge Jay S. Friedenberg, according to court records.