WHEREAS, Operation Hot Pipe, a year-long investigation into illegal recycling center, resulting in the discovery and prosecution of the illegal purchase and resale of stolen metals parts at a recycling center, ended on April 1, 2015; and
WHEREAS, this esteemed body has been apprised of this accomplishments by Emma Mitts, Alderman of the 37th Ward; and
WHERAS, Operation Hot Pipe demonstrated swift and effective action from law enforcement, revealing many illegal thefts occurring across Chicago and in Schaumburg, creating an on-going theft problem affecting multiple communities; and
WHEREAS, the affects of these thefts on the community were economically detrimental due to the expensive replacement of the theft of catalytic converters, metal fences, and gutters, but also posed a safety risk due to the theft of protective sewer covers and other recyclable metals around the communities affected; and
WHEREAS, illegal recycling posed an additional environmental hazard due to the risk of spills of oil, transmission fluid, and other contaminants from auto parts brought to the facility without appropriate safety regulations; and
WHEREAS, the police seized approximately $320,000 and made multiple arrests at one recycling center, with the expectation that this effort will serve as a warning and send a message to other recyclers the consequences of purchasing stolen parts; and
WHEREAS, Operation Hot Pipe was a true team effort through the Bureau of Organized Crime, Vice/Asset Forfeiture Division, Narcotics Division, Drug and Gang House Prosecution Unit, Area North Detective Division, Chicago Major Auto Theft Investigations, Schaumburg Police Department, and the Cook County States Attorney's office; and
WHEREAS, the city of Chicago is immensely grateful for the professional contributions of these departments, and through the hard work and collaboration of many individuals, Chicago has been made a safer place and peace and order have been maintained; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this twenty-ninth day of July, 2015, do hereby honor all those involved in Operation Hot Pipe and commend them for their efforts and dedication to fighting crime in the City of Chicago; and
/Emma Mitts Alderman, 37th Ward
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that suitable copies of this resolution be presented to those involved and placed on permanent record in their personnel files as a token of our appreciation and esteem. /)
Bureau of Organized Crime ■—
Commander Kenneth Angarone #20
Lieutenant Karen Konow #209 Sergeant Nelson I. Perez #910 Officer Christopher Stenzel #15101 Officer Humberto Gutierrez #9690 Officer Jose Gonzalez #3458 Officer John Bartuch 18458 Officer Christine Connor #14314 Officer Angela Magee # 17021 Officer Dennis McGuire #11260 Officer Gerald Morris #19072 P.O. David Lewis #18965 P.O. Margaret Coleman #10537 P.O. Sean Newton #16383
Area North Detective Division
Vice/Asset Forfeiture Division
Asset Forfeiture Unit
Asset Forfeiture Unit
Asset Forfeiture Unit
Narcotics Division
Narcotics Division
Asset Forfeiture Unit
Asset Forfeiture Unit
Asset Forfeiture Unit
Asset Forfeiture Unit
Asset Forfeiture Unit
Drug and Gang House Prosecution Unit
Drug and Gang House Prosecution Unit
Drug and Gang House Prosecution Unit
Sergeant Robert Wheeler # 1995 Chicago Major Auto
Detective Steve Rihani #20381 Chicago Major Auto
Detective Amalio Corral #20946 Chicago Major Auto
Detective Michael Conway #20246 Chicago Major Auto
Detective John Weisser #21259 Chicago Major Auto
Detective Linda Becker #20239 Chicago Major Auto
Theft Investigations Theft Investigations Theft Investigations Theft Investigations Theft Investigations Theft Investigations