BOSTON, MA — Rafael Davila, 36, of Springfield, Mass., was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for leading an organized crime ring involved in the theft of catalytic converters, burglaries, and ATM thefts across Massachusetts and New Hampshire. In addition to the prison term, Davila was ordered to pay restitution of $157,000, perform 75 hours of community service, and forfeit several assets, including vehicles and motorcycles purchased with proceeds from the crimes.
Davila led a group that targeted nearly 500 vehicles to steal catalytic converters, a theft scheme that caused significant financial harm to victims, including businesses and individuals across the region. The theft of these converters, often containing valuable precious metals, cost victims upwards of $2 million in repairs and losses.
In addition to the catalytic converter thefts, Davila and his crew were involved in the theft of ATMs from federally insured banks and multiple jewelry store burglaries. These crimes, which included breaking into jewelry stores and stealing over $137,000 in valuables, led to Davila’s arrest in April 2023.
The takedown, part of “Operation Cut and Run,” significantly reduced catalytic converter thefts in Massachusetts, which dropped dramatically from hundreds of thefts per month to only nine incidents in the 18 months following the arrests.
Davila’s arrest also revealed his extensive criminal activities, including running a money-laundering operation. He used stolen converters as collateral for illegal transactions, often handling hundreds of thousands of dollars per week. He was arrested along with six others, all of whom have pleaded guilty or are awaiting sentencing.
The collaboration of federal and local agencies, including the FBI and Massachusetts State Police, was crucial in dismantling this large-scale operation.