HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – The Hollywood Police Department announced the arrests of four men Tuesday who they say were part of a crime ring that stole catalytic converters, utility light poles, copper and construction site materials.
On Feb. 29, HPD said its Street Crimes Unit conducted inspections at two metal recycling facilities.
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Authorities confirmed they uncovered approximately $37,460 worth of stolen FPL copper wiring and three catalytic converters at Advance Global Metals, located at 5631 Plunkett St.
Owners and managers of both facilities were apprehended for alleged involvement in dealing in stolen property and were found to be in breach of various metal recycling regulations.
Police said these violations included improper payment methods, unregistered operation as a secondary metal recycler and failure to maintain essential records.
Investigators noted that the company’s website indicated a cash-for-metal policy and boasted a decade of family ownership.
Police said a second inspection on Feb. 29 at All Coast Recycling Inc., located at 5835 Plunkett St. yielded the recovery of about $5,625 worth of FPL wiring.
Investigators also noted numerous vehicles unloading scrap metals into the facility’s bays on March 13, which led to the confiscation of 83 catalytic converters lacking proper documentation.
On March 15, police said they apprehended the owner of Advance Global Metals, 49-year-old Boaz Shwarz.
Addiel Diaz, 50, and Didiel Diaz, 44, face charges that include dealing in stolen property, failure to register as a secondary metal recycler, failure to keep required records, violating metal recycler payment methods, and possession of detached catalytic converters without proof of ownership.
Nazmi Guerra, 44, faces charges related to failure to keep required records and violations of metal recycler payment methods.
Shwarz faces charges including failure to maintain records, dealing in stolen property, grand theft, and possession of detached catalytic converters without proof of ownership.
The suspects were all transported to the Broward Sheriff’s Office Main Jail.
Authorities confirmed that the confiscated catalytic converters were seized as evidence and stored in the HPD’s impound lot.