Utah man charged with theft involving hundreds of catalytic converters, more than $900K

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TAYLORSVILLE — A man who police believe has helped orchestrate catalytic converter thefts across Salt Lake County has been arrested and charged by the Utah Attorney General's Office.

Omar Ernesto Martinez-Gomez, 47, of Salt Lake City, was charged Wednesday in 3rd District Court with money laundering, engaging in a pattern of unlawful activity, and possession of stolen property, all second-degree felonies.

The investigation dates back to at least July 2021 when Taylorsville police arrested a man in possession of a stolen vehicle and two stolen catalytic converters, according to charging documents. The man told investigators he would steal the converters and sell them to a man named "Omar," the charges state.

Members of the Attorney General's Crimes Against Statewide Economy unit served a search warrant on the man's phone and found "numerous text messages regarding the sale of catalytic converters" to Martinez-Gomez, according to the charges.

In February, a second man was arrested for allegedly stealing two catalytic converters. That man also told investigators that he would sell the devices to "Omar."

Undercover agents, who legally purchased catalytic converters from a local recycling company, later arranged to sell the converters to Martinez-Gomez, the charges state.

Investigators learned that Martinez-Gomez is associated with Del Sol Auto Recycling. They believe that he "has been concealing his business dealings by purchasing stolen converters obtained by illicit activities, by converting it into a legitimate source," according to a police booking affidavit.

"From August 2021 to August 2022, Del Sol sold 3,556 catalytic converters to (another company) for $915,230 in 423 transactions," charging documents added.

According to police, Martinez-Gomez "has victimized, through his transactions, hundreds of Utah citizens."

Martinez-Gomez, who is from Mexico, has previously been deported and then re-entered the country illegally, police stated. Law enforcers are looking to have Martinez held on a federal detainer in addition to the criminal charges against him.

On Thursday, members of the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office, Unified Police Department, and the Utah Attorney General's Office joined together to announce a new program they hope will deter the ever-increasing problem of catalytic converter thefts.