Three Men Arrested After Police Allege they Stole Catalytic Converters Throughout Suffolk County beginning in February 2024

Police in Suffolk County arrested three men Wednesday morning for allegedly stealing numerous Catalytic Converters throughout Suffolk County throughout the last year. In February 2024, Police received multiple reports of a group of men successfully stealing Catalytic Converters and car parts throughout the County.

Following an investigation by the Suffolk County Police Department, the District Attorney’s Financial Crimes Bureau, and the United States Marshall’s Task Force, the NYPD’s 83rd Precinct, and the Nassau County Police Department, search warrants were executed at the homes of Jose Deleon in Brooklyn, and Oliver Morocho in Elmhurst this morning.

Deleon, 37, of Brooklyn, was arrested and charged with three counts of Grand Larceny 4th Degree, three counts of Auto Stripping 3rd Degree, three counts of Criminal Mischief 3rd Degree, and two counts of Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree.

Morocho, 21, of Elmhurst, was arrested and charged with two counts of Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree, 11 counts of criminal mischief 3rd Degree, six counts of Grand Larceny 4th degree, 13 counts of Auto Stripping, 3rd degree, and one count of Petit Larceny.

A third man, Albert Espinal, 23, of Corona Queens, was arrested outside of Morocho’s house and charged with one count of Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree, 11 Counts of Criminal 3rd Degree, five counts of Grand Larceny 4th Degree, 12 counts of Auto-Stripping 3rd Degree and one count of Petit Larceny.

As a result of the investigation, investigators seized Catalytic Converters, auto stripping tools, equipment, money, and cell phones. Two vehicles were also seized and impounded. The investigation is

Deleon, Morocho, and Espinal were all held overnight at the Third Precinct, and will be arraigned at the First District Court in Central Islip on October 17.

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