PHILADELPHIA, PA / BUCKS COUNTY, PA — Six defendants have been sentenced for their involvement in a multi-million-dollar organized crime ring that stole catalytic converters from vehicles throughout the Delaware Valley, following a lengthy investigation led by the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office.
The sentencing took place on Monday, December 16, 2024, before President Judge Raymond F. McHugh, and capped a sweeping prosecution that targeted a Philadelphia-based towing company and its owners.
At the center of the scheme was Michael Williams, 53, of Huntingdon Valley, the owner of TDI Towing, located at 2335 Wheatsheaf Lane in Philadelphia. Williams and five relatives — including his wife, three sons-in-law, and sister-in-law — were sentenced for their roles in the enterprise.
The defendants were identified as:
Michael Williams: Sentenced to 2½ to 5 years in state prison, followed by two years of probation. He must also pay $124,900 in restitution to 157 victims.
Michael Bruce, 32, of Sewell, NJ: Sentenced to one year less a day to two years less a day in the Bucks County Correctional Facility.
Kevin Schwartz, 34, and Patrick Hopkins, 25, both of Huntingdon Valley: Each received 9 to 23 months in county jail.
Lisa Davalos, 49, of Philadelphia: Sentenced to 90 days to 23 months in county jail after entering a no contest plea.
Deborah Davalos, 52, wife of Williams and resident of Huntingdon Valley: Sentenced to two years of probation.
The criminal ring came to light in June 2023, when the Bucks County DA’s Office revealed the results of a nearly yearlong investigation into widespread catalytic converter thefts. The group was accused of orchestrating systematic thefts, primarily targeting parked vehicles to strip the valuable emission-control devices and resell them for profit.
Catalytic converters contain precious metals like platinum, palladium, and rhodium, making them a lucrative target for black-market resale.
Prosecutors said that the TDI Towing business served as a front for illegal activities, including the processing and distribution of stolen catalytic converters.
In total, authorities identified at least 157 victims, with estimated damages and losses reaching well into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. The sentence against Michael Williams also includes financial restitution to compensate those affected by the thefts.
The investigation and successful prosecution mark a significant victory in ongoing efforts to combat organized theft rings and automotive-related crime in the region.
