In 2015, Christian Buie and Harold Wade were caught by Chicago police with a van full of stolen catalytic converters on the North Side. Surprisingly, the prosecutors decided to charge them with misdemeanors instead of more serious charges. As a result, both individuals received probation sentences.
In Pennsylvania this week, Buie, Wade, and another individual faced similar allegations and received significantly less favorable outcomes – they were sentenced to 5 to 15 years in prison.
In December 2022, Buie, 32, Wade, 30, and Antonio Johnson, 43, embarked on a journey from Chicago to Pittsburgh with the intent of stealing catalytic converters valued at over $200,000 from vehicles, according to Pennsylvania authorities.
The men embarked on a lengthy spree of stealing catalytic converters, utilizing a rented Porsche Panamera and an SUV for their endeavors. However, instead of targeting cars parked on residential streets, the group chose to focus on car dealerships, specifically stealing catalytic converters from vehicles that were up for sale. Additionally, they also targeted towing services, according to officials.
A chain of dealerships fell victim to a series of thefts where a staggering 35 catalytic converters were stolen from Mitsubishi Outlanders. The cost of this unfortunate incident amounted to a significant $124,000 in damages. Furthermore, an additional $20,000 worth of catalytic converters were also stolen, this time from tow trucks.
During the investigation in Pennsylvania, it was revealed that two women from Chicago had rented both a Porsche and an SUV, which were sighted in the vicinity of the catalytic converter thefts. The authorities meticulously analyzed data from cellphone towers near the dealerships to track any activity associated with phone numbers from Chicago. As a result, Buie, Wade, and Johnson emerged as the primary suspects, according to officials.
Pennsylvania investigators suspected that the crew was using a vehicle to commit additional catalytic converter thefts in Pittsburgh. To gather evidence, they placed a GPS tracker on the vehicle. The tracker indicated that the vehicle was near multiple locations where catalytic converter thefts had been reported.
During a routine traffic stop in January 2023, the police apprehended three individuals. Upon searching their SUV, the authorities reportedly discovered a total of 17 catalytic converters.
On Friday, District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli of Westmoreland County, PA, made an announcement stating that all three men involved in the case have pleaded guilty to operating an organized theft ring and will be sentenced to serve 5 to 15 years in prison.
According to prosecutors, the crew was responsible for over $300,000 in thefts and damages, making it one of the most sophisticated and extensive organized theft operations they have encountered.
Prosecutor Adam Barr stated that the actions of Buie and Wade were not a mistake or a one-time occurrence. He emphasized that these individuals were driven by greed and committed this act for financial gain. To support his claim, Barr cited their previous arrests in Chicago back in 2015 as evidence of their criminal behavior.
