'Black market Costco': San Jose police arrest 15 suspects in catalytic converter theft ring

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- A 6-month operation that San Jose police called "Cat Scratch Thiever" has led to the arrest of more than a dozen people involved in stealing or selling catalytic converters.

The undercover investigation uncovered millions of dollars in illegally obtained assets.

San Jose police report these automotive part thefts have increased almost 13 times from 2019 to 2021.

"You know somebody, I know somebody," SJPD Sgt. Christian Camarillo said. "I think everyone knows somebody that has been affected by these thefts."

WATCH: Brazen videos capture Bay Area catalytic converter thieves in the act

New cell phone videos taken by car owners and bystanders illustrate the bold act of stealing catalytic converters in the Bay Area.

Now, a major breakthrough.

15 arrests made after a 6-month investigation by San Jose Police and other agencies including District Attorney Jeff Rosen's office.

"This is a very significant step in stopping the widespread stealing of catalytic converters which have affected hundreds and hundreds of people in our county," Rosen said.

12 suspects are considered middlemen and thieves and the three other suspects worked at recycle businesses who knowingly purchased the stolen converters to sell.

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One suspect, Robert Frank, owns Green Metal Recycle in Campbell and is suspected of possessing nearly $3,000,000 of stolen converters.

"One of the officers said this is like a black market Costco and it really was," Rosen said.

These businesses melt down the converters to get the precious metals inside- palladium, platinum and rhodium drive up the value.

Rhodium for example costs $25,000 an ounce, highlighting the importance of these arrests.

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"When we are able to shut down these people who are seeking these illicit products, whether it be catalytic converters or other stolen goods, these fencing operations, once we're able to take these down, that minimizes the demand for buying these catalytic converters," Sgt. Camarillo said.

Police recovered tools to steal the converters, cash and illegal weapons along with more than 1,000 catalytic converters.

This operation has ended, but police say the work is not done.

"We want to make people that are thinking about doing this crime know, you don't know who you're dealing with, you're going to get caught and you're going to get punished," Rosen said.