Arrest Of Interest Of 15 Catalytic Converters – Claremont PD Is Looking For Additional Victims

Press release from the City of Claremont:

March 31, 2021

At approximately 4:42AM on Wednesday, March 31, while patrolling the residential streets of the City, a CPD officer saw a suspicious minivan traveling very slowly westbound on Vista Ave. from Indian Hill Boulevard. The driver saw the officer and quickly turned onto Georgia Court and parked in one of the driveways in the 400 block of Georgia Court The officer contacted the subject as he was exiting his vehicle and walking to a front door of a home. The subject claimed he was there to visit his girlfriend. The homeowner was contacted and stated they had never seen the subject before.

The CPD officer looked in the back seat of the minivan and saw numerous used catalytic converters in the back seats. A search of the vehicle revealed, there were 15 used catalytic converters with fresh saw cuts, multiple sawzalls, bags of power tools and a floor creeper. The evidence was collected and the suspect was placed under arrest for being in possession of stolen property.

The suspect, a 24 year old male from La Verne, was transported to the Claremont PD Jail, where he was booked and later released on a written promise to appear. At this time, the investigation is ongoing and the rightful owners of the catalytic converters have NOT been identified.

CPD is encouraging residents to check their vehicles, and contact CPD if they were a victim of catalytic converter theft. If their converter was stolen, they will know when they turn on their vehicle as it will be louder than normal with a portion of the exhaust missing.

If you suspect that you are a victim, call the Claremont Police Department at (909) 399-5411.

This press release was produced by the City of Claremont. The views expressed here are the author’s own.