Three Chicago men were ordered Friday to serve up to 15 years in prison for operating what authorities said was one of the largest organized theft rings in western Pennsylvania as they stole steal catalytic converters from parked vehicles in Westmoreland, Allegheny and Fayette counties.
“These three individuals terrorized the western Pennsylvania community and (it) is one of the more sophisticated organized theft rings we’ve had here in Westmoreland County,” said Assistant District Attorney Adam Barr during Friday’s sentencing hearing. “This isn’t a mistake. These are three greedy people who did this for financial gain.”
The men, Christian Buie, 33, Antonio Dewayne Johnson, 43, and Harold T. Wade, 30, pleaded guilty in late June to multiple counts in four separate cases including conspiracy, theft, receiving stolen property and criminal mischief. Prosecutors dropped racketeering offenses as part of the plea deals…