Philadelphia Brothers Target Honda Accords In Massive Chop Shop Ring, Over 80 Recovered
By Mike DeNardo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A pair of brothers are behind bars, charged with stealing dozens of older Honda Accords off the streets of Philadelphia. The thieves knew what they wanted: 1996 or '97 Honda Accords.
That's because, police say, they were easy to steal, and because their catalytic converters had $300 worth of platinum inside.
"There were mostly older-model vehicles. The newer ones, there's no platinum in the catalytic converter," said Police Major Crimes Captain Len Ditchkofsky.
Ditchkofsky says 83 stolen Hondas have been recovered since the investigation began in August.
"Most of them were parked on the street, in a parking lot. A lot of them already had Christmas presents in the back of them from some shopping centers."
Police are currently working to return those stolen presents.
36-year-old Alexander and 30-year-old Eduardo Ramos are behind bars, each charged with 71 counts of auto theft.
