Brothers Steal Dozens of 1990s Hondas: Police

[PAFirefighter11]

Brothers Steal Dozens of 1990s Hondas: Police

Two brothers stole more than 80 cars over five months in Philly, targeting Honda Accords from the 1990s because of an expensive feature, police say

By Teresa Masterson
| Wednesday, Dec 14, 2011 | Updated 6:57 AM EST

[img]http://media.nbcphiladelphia.com/images/654*368/cars_722x406_2176577208.jpg[/img]

Two brothers are charged with running a Philadelphia auto theft operation that netted dozens of cars in the last five months.

Investigators say 36-year-old Alexander Ramos and 30-year-old Eduardo Ramos are each charged with 71 counts of auto theft and related charges for stealing cars, stripping them of their valuable parts then abandoning them.

Police say the brothers targeted Honda Accords from the mid-90s in hopes of obtaining the platinum in the catalytic converters. Authorities say the brothers took four of the vehicles on Monday night alone.

A total of 83 stolen vehicles have been recovered by police. Investigators also recovered radios, wheels and stolen Christmas presents. Now they're trying to get the stolen property back to its owners.

Copyright Associated Press / NBC Philadelphia

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/...135567493.html

[HatchSurfer3]

Wow, what scum

[Bates]

Charged with 71 counts!??!?! That's nuts. Isn't that enough to put these guys away for like...ever? I am pretty sure if convicted of one count, the standard punishment is usually anywhere from 8 months-16 months, 2-4 years if it isn't a first offense if I am not mistaken.

[inteva6184]

Accords for cats? Why not just be like every other thief find a suv with an easily removed cat go to a dealership and zip 25 off a night.

[Foolinaround]

They were stealing accords for their cats? Really? Thats pitiful

[AWD GS]

agreed. even though they are easy to steal cars, suv's have multiple cats. they could have double or tripled their profits if they were smart.

[PAFirefighter11]

I'm no expert with Honda cats, but it says they contain platinum on those model year accords.

Police say the brothers targeted Honda Accords from the mid-90s in hopes of obtaining the platinum in the catalytic converters.

I'm assuming these specific Accords have more platinum in their cats than most other vehicles? Or maybe they just like Accords...

[jpalamar]

Originally Posted by PAFirefighter11

I'm assuming these specific Accords have more platinum in their cats than most other vehicles? Or maybe they just like Accords...

They have Latino names... of course they like Honda's most

Plus, they are easy car to part and sell on top of making money from the kitties.

[AWD GS]

Originally Posted by PAFirefighter11

I'm no expert with Honda cats, but it says they contain platinum on those model year accords.



I'm assuming these specific Accords have more platinum in their cats than most other vehicles? Or maybe they just like Accords...

most cats have platinum in them which is why they are always stolen. if you remember back in the summer time there was a huge problem with cats being cut off escalades because they have 3 cats.

i assume they use accords because they are very easy to steal (just like any other mid 90s honda) and they can do it in private at a garage.

[OMGz Turbo]

Yeah cat's average from 10$-100$

[ourbloodykisses]

ohmy****inggod

[Menacing_Gc8]

wonder if it was ONLY accords or if that was jsut what was mostly found there.. the people who have had their honda's stolen she probably check with philly pd and stay on them like white on rice! maybe thier cars will turn up here or wherever they ditched them to.

[AWD GS]

they mention where the majority of them are dumped

Many of the 83 vehicles police recovered were older model 1996-1997 Hondas, mostly Accords. Why would thieves be interested in old Hondas?

"Mainly the target of vehicle was the catalytic converter. They have platinum in them and they are worth quite a bit of money on the street," Captain Leonard Ditchkofsky said. Police say newer Honda models do not contain the platinum.

This investigation began in August with a traffic stop.

Police say the cars mostly were stolen from parking lots or streets in various sections of the city including the Northeast, the Northwest, Center City, and South Philadelphia.

The brothers allegedly operated out of the garages of their homes.

"Their normal method of operation is they will steal the car, take it to one of their two houses, get it in the garage; they saw off the catalytic converter, start the car, remove the battery, and dump the car. Most of them were dumped in the lower northeast section of the city," Captain Ditchkofsky said.

[cavillac95]

[jen.]

Somehow, it always amazes how much effort people will put (illegally) forth for a small amount of money. I feel like these people could often use those creative efforts better elsewhere.

[The Alchemist]

Originally Posted by jen.

Somehow, it always amazes how much effort people will put (illegally) forth for a small amount of money. I feel like these people could often use those creative efforts better elsewhere.

Yeah like shooting each other in the head, or helping the other one kick the chair out from under the noose their head is dangling in.

[saxon]

most honda/acura/toyotas have higher quality catalytic converters than domestic vehicles

at one point a 92-00 civic catalytic converter was worth 150+ to scrap yards

[jen.]

Originally Posted by The Alchemist

Yeah like shooting each other in the head, or helping the other one kick the chair out from under the noose their head is dangling in.

I was thinking more along the lines of being productive members of society and earning an income, but whatever floats your boat.