Tampa police shut down business having in stolen catalytic converters

TAMPA — As the number of stolen catalytic converters carries on to rise nationwide, Tampa Police say they’ve shut down a local organization that had taken in around $500,000 worth of the coveted vehicle aspect.

Denis Redzic, 29, and Zijad Nuhanovic, 33, facial area prices of violation of secondary metals recyclers restrictions and for operating as an unregistered secondary metals recycler — equally of which are felonies.

The duo labored for Armando Recycling, an unlicensed organization that operated just east of Ybor Metropolis at 4101 E. 12th Avenue.

Law enforcement mentioned they started a surveillance operation of Armando Recycling immediately after receiving an nameless idea.

Catalytic converters are sought by robbers because they’re reasonably easy to obtain, in accordance to the sector publication, Car and Driver. They selection in value from $50 to a pair of hundred pounds each. But demand from customers for the converters in other nations has caused the costs of the metals inside the element, like palladium and rhodium, to skyrocket, in accordance to the New York Times. Two of the a few rare earth metals made use of in catalytic converters are worth additional for every ounce than gold.

In buy for a recycling business to lawfully buy catalytic converters, the seller should be ready to verify that it lawfully belongs to them, with only some insignificant exceptions. That’s a thing Armando Recyclers didn’t need sellers to do, law enforcement claimed.

Redzic and Nuhanovic were being arrested Tuesday, documents display. Both equally were being launched after they each and every posted a $4,000 bail.

In a assertion, Tampa Law enforcement issued a warning to both intruders and purchasers of catalytic converters:

“Detectives are sending a sturdy information to all those organization entrepreneurs who choose to work illegally, as nicely as the criminals who are stealing and offering: You will be caught, and you will be billed.”