The last of four people charged with operation of a catalytic converter theft ring throughout Westmoreland County in 2022 was ordered to serve at least 21 months in prison.
Vince Lamar Skillings, 48, of Derry, pleaded guilty last February to theft and two additional felony counts in connection with his role in the scheme. Authorities said catalytic converter devices were stolen from multiple locations in Indiana and Westmoreland counties.
Catalytic converters are composed of precious metals including platinum, palladium and rhodium and can fetch large sums at scrap yards that accept them. A number of similar theft rings have operated throughout the region in recent years. The devices control exhaust emissions.
Skillings was sentenced by Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Scott Mears to serve up to 42 months behind bars. Along with his three co-defendants, he was ordered to pay nearly $139,000 in restitution to 23 victims including car dealerships, contractors and other businesses.
Police said the group operated over a three-month period that ended in October 2022 after Skillings was taken into custody a short distance from thefts that were reported at Valero Century RV Mega Center in Salem.
According to court records Skillings told investigators he had been paid to serve as a lookout during the heists.
Debbra Lynn McAdams, 59, of Homer City; William J. Glover III, 28, of New Florence and Steven R. Aukerman, 30, of Blairsville previously pleaded guilty for their role in the thefts.
McAdams was sentenced to serve seven years on probation, a term that also included 33 months of house arrest.
Glover was sentenced to six to 23 months in the Westmoreland County Prison followed by five years of probation.
Aukerman was ordered to serve nine to 23 months in the county jail followed by five years of probation.