A Waterloo man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for his role in a crime ring responsible for the thefts of catalytic converters in the Cedar Valley, according to the Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier. 34 year old Shane Mehmen was convicted on charges of Ongoing Criminal Conduct and first and second degree Theft. Mehmen wore reflective work clothing to saw converters from Waterloo school vehicles at the administrative building as well as from vehicles parked at Allen Hospital. He sold at least $5,000 worth of converters to one metal recycling business in 2021. At least 11 other people have been arrested in the investigation. Judge Joel Dalrymple said during the sentencing, “You got a lot of charges, Mr. Mehmen.” To which Mehmen replied, “Yeah, sorry about that.”
