Operation ‘Cat Snatch Fever’ gets suspected catalytic converter thief off streets: Mobile police

A year-long investigation by Mobile police dubbed Operation Cat Snatch Fever resulted in the arrest of a man accused of running a network dealing in stolen catalytic converters.

Mobile police said Wednesday 40-year-old Thanh Nguyen was taken into custody without incident after officers from Mobile's Auto Theft, Financial Crimes, Narcotics and Vice units raided locations in the 7000 block of Pierson Drive, the 2000 block of Chapel Hill Drive and the 3000 block of Norwood Lane, all in Mobile.

The along with 160 catalytic converters, valued at $65,000, police seized business documents, financial records, three laptops, one tablet, tax records, five catalytic converter cutting machines, two dually pickup trucks, a compact truck and three forklifts.

Nguyen was charged with 13 felonies and one misdemeanor. Bond was set at $31,000, but Nguyen is ineligible to post bond as he is also wanted in Texas on a warrant for organized criminal activity, police said.

A prior search warrant executed in October 2022 resulted in the recovery of 975 catalytic converters worth approximately $400,000, as well as $506,836 from Nguyen's bank accounts.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.