(Lawrenceville, Georgia)  A recent undercover sting operation led to the arrests of four men for illegally trying to purchase catalytic converters from an undercover officer. Over the last several months, Gwinnett County has seen an increase in the number of catalytic converters being stolen from vehicles. The cost to repair a victim’s vehicle can be in excess of $1,000. 

The Metal Theft Unit noticed an increase in the number of ads on social media seeking to purchase the converters for cash.  The ability to obtain quick cash for the converters is part of the reason for the increase in thefts.

Officers from the Metal Theft Unit, Special Investigations Sections, East Precinct, and the Solicitor's Office devised a plan to respond to these ads in hopes of reducing the number of thefts and property damage in the community.  Operation Cat Call was set up in the parking lot at 875 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road in unincorporated Lawrenceville on Thursday, May 30.

Four individuals met with an undercover officer and purchased the converters with cash.  The suspects did not properly document the sale or obtain the identification of the seller as required by Georgia Law.  All four were arrested and transported to the Gwinnett County Jail.  

• Mirsad Nuhanovic (age 18, Lawrenceville):  1 count of Illegal Payment for Regulated Material (OCGA 10-1-355) and 1 count of Second Metal Recycler Maintain/Cause to Maintain Required Info (OCGA 10-1-353 (b)) *video

• Adin Hasikic (age 21, Grayson): 1 count of Illegal Payment for Regulated Material (OCGA 10-1-355) and 2 counts of Second Metal Recycler Maintain/Cause to Maintain Required Info (OCGA 10-1-353 (b))

• Semco Beganovic (age 23, Lawrenceville): 1 count of Illegal Payment for Regulated Material (OCGA 10-1-355) and 1 count of Second Metal Recycler Maintain/Cause to Maintain Required Info (OCGA 10-1-353 (b))

• Eniz Salkic (age 28, Grayson): 1 count of Illegal Payment for Regulated Material (OCGA 10-1-355) and 1 count of Second Metal Recycler Maintain/Cause to Maintain Required Info (OCGA 10-1-353 (b))

After the fourth arrest, the officers began to see several of the ads disappearing from social media.  Several of the buyers began to notify the undercover officer that we needed the required documentation according to the law.  This indicated that word of the arrests had spread through the recycler community.  The objective of this operation was to stop the illegal purchasing of catalytic converters thus hoping to reduce the number of thefts/damage to vehicles in the community.